19th Shot: Wings of Man
Women–beings that Senku couldn't understand thoroughly. Is it because how their personality is different from the male population? How they used their feelings more than their logic? How they're more sensitive but at the same stronger than male themselves in terms of psychological? Either way, he didn't bother to learn even further–mainly because he needs more emotional approach rather than logical ones which is a problem for a man with logic like him.
He included every female present in that category. The reason why Yuzuriha was accepted quickly because she's friendly and open with everyone's approach, Minami was a reporter–meaning she had ways with words and people based on her carrier, Ruri is the definition of Yamato Nadeshiko just by her attitude and way of talk.
Meanwhile, Nikki despite having a really buff and strong exterior is the purest maiden there is and don't lose her girlish side, Kohaku is a typical person who acts by emotion most of the time–Senku learned it quickly just by being the witness of her practically dashing forward without a second thought. Finally, Shinko who could go through all trouble necessary just to bring on the best–either in a form of object or service.
But aside from that, all of them are important parts of the Kingdom of Science–Senku appreciates it, mainly because there's no such thing as useless person in this world to begin with. Everyone will somehow find their role in life.
"Did you get all the calculations and blueprint?" the scientist asked, which Shinko replied with a nod–handing him the paper filled with their newest blueprint of measurements for the hot air balloon, starting from the diameter of the fabric until the size of the basket.
"Just like you muttered before, the diameter should be 7.8 meters for the fabric and it could fit three passengers." she remarked, pointing out several things on the picture. "Is there anything else to be added?"
Senku hummed–he was pleased with her work internally. Up until yesterday, it was quite difficult to attain someone who could follow his unfaltering pace of thinking. "No, this is enough, just inform the handicrafts club about it."
If anything Senku learned even more is women tends to quickly read situations and adapt it terrifyingly fast–in aspect of reading future movements and predictions of what people needs it's almost scary. Shinko is the best example he could get, somehow she fit right in and jumped in on the right time whenever he's in need of something. For someone who usually does anything by his own, her help surely made his work even more efficient.
He never had an assistant before even when he's still reigned as the science club's chairman, however now he's getting some taste of how helpful it was. Is this why some people like to hire a secretary or personal assistant?
For two days or three at best, he's only focused on more crucial things while Shinko handled the mundane ones that doesn't need his attention. And knowing he could concentrate on his projects with her assistance is refreshing in its own way.
Not that he admitted it out loud.
.
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With just hours of stitching the cloths into a single unity, the first hot air balloon in 3,700 years after humanity turned to stone was already done. It even already attached to the carrier basket which was successfully made from bamboo filaments. To be honest, Shinko thought it would take much longer, but it's already finished in just a matter of a few days not even a week. Their hardwork paid them well–a sweet achievement of the new era.
The long fabric was being held by several ropes stretched from rock to rock so it would be much easier to filled the balloon with hot air. This was the first time Shinko could see a hot air balloon up close–before, she could only watch them via internet. Seeing it in real life definitely gave her a different type on sensation and excitement.
Before they continued in adding the engines, the whole crew decided to take a break and recharging their energy with lunch. Halting their work, all of them took a seat somewhere comfortable to enjoy their meal.
"So then, who are the three people that are going to ride it?" Gen asked, referring to the need of passengers on board. "I'll pass myself."
"Well, obviously Senku, since he knows how to operate it!" Taiju answered. "But what about the other two?"
"How about Shinko-chan?" Yuzuriha suggested–making the said girl blinked in confusion. "I mean, you're going to make a map, right? Shinko-chan has sharp sight so you're going to need her in looking around wide areas."
"Wait, you're okay with this, Yuzuriha?" Taiju asked, also confused with her suggestion. "You usually don't agree with Shinko doing rough work."
"I'm all set to do some work now." the said girl remarked, stretching her arms out as if to emphasize. "It's been more than a week since I'm bedridden and just sitting around. I'm fully recovered now! Senku-san said so too."
"That's great then!" Taiju exclaimed, pumping his fist to the air–which made both Yuzuriha and Shinko giggled. "So now we need the last one!"
"I can't pilot the balloon by myself," Senku said, chewing on a grilled meat Shinko passed to him before. "In order to operate it, you have to combine the operations with reading the patterns of the wind. In other words, the pilot has to be a pro at understanding the wind."
"I see. HEY, RYUSUI!" without even having a consideration about anything, Taiju just straight up calling (screaming) for the said man.
"SHHHH!" Gen hissed in panic, preventing Taiju to call out to the greedy conglomerate even further. The mentalist then moved closer to face Senku and Shinko who stood beside each other. "You both are terrible at negotiations! You're way too honest! Both you, Senku-chan and Taiju-chan! This is our chance to rip off Ryusui-chan for more cash to tune of 100,000 dragos to be our pilot!"
"Ah, so that's your plan, Gen-san," Shinko muttered underneath her breath–somehow, she was getting used to all sorts of undermine plots the mentalist has.
Senku sure didn't mind about the plan, looking at how nonchalant the young man was and just focused on his lunch. "Ahh, I'll leave that kind of underhanded stuff to you."
"Is it really okay, though?" she questioned, eyes averting towards Gen's figure who's walking further away and began gathering crowd of people not far way from where they stood. Senku only shrugged his shoulders lightly before replying.
"The mentalist knows what to do."
"We still need to pick a person to ride in the balloon!" Gen announced, thrusting a row of cards spread between his fingers to the building crowd before him. "We're going to decide it with drawing cards~! Whoever gets one of the two jokers in the deck gets to ride!"
Just like what he planned, people began to pulled out one card in hopes to get a chance riding the first ever flying device in the stone world–although there are also who doesn't want to participate maybe mainly about having certain phobia with heights, especially for them who's never seen anything from hundreds of meters above.
Of course, everyone could and would participate–including Nanami Ryusui himself. When it was the conglomerate's turn, Shinko could see a slight difference in the row of cards being presented–especially that one card's which slightly placed upfront unlike the others.
"Ahh, Gen-kun is trying to make it look like Ryusui-kun just happened to pull the right card…" Yuzuriha whispered to her and she nodded in agreement, concerned however.
"But will it work against a person like Ryusui-san?" she questioned. Ryusui, although he deemed and being deemed as the greediest being currently, he's incredibly smart and had vast knowledge. With Gen pulling a trick like that, wasn't he going to be found out?
"Hmph! I see! If you really wanted my help, you should have just been honest and said so!" the young man snorted and snatched the exact card with his fingers–biting the bait. "But since you have Gen trying to pull these little tricks, I'll charge you 1 million dragos for my piloting fee!"
He did say like that, but somehow, Shinko wasn't sure about him piloting the hot air balloon just by request. Knowing how much they needed him, he might as well as looking for another deal and ended up ripping them off for something else–it will be an endless cycle.
"HAHAHA! The winning Joker is mine!" Ryusui cackled, flipping the card he picked–revealing Three of Hearts instead of the said jackpot.
"Well, you do have something in your sleeve, right, Gen-san?" Shinko laughed nervously when she witnessed Ryusui, Senku, and Yuzuriha's bewilderment.
"Humans are such silly creatures~" the dual-haired young man snickered. "When they lose something they thought they had for sure, that;s when they stress and feel the most lost. Many psychological experiments have been conducted on this. Especially in love and relationships, it's all the truer. Go on and see for yourself~"
"Ah, you do have a plan…" Shinko muttered, watching as Gen pulled up a Joker from his sleeve right into his palm.
"What's this~~? Ughhh, I pulled a Joker!" he deliberately dragged his voice with false disappointment and his expression backing him up. "Nooo waaay! What a shooock! I didn't want this! Whatever will I do~~?"
"Ahhh," she could hear Senku hummed in understanding, immediately jumped in to added more spice. "What you don't want that!? That's like a super platinum rare ticket! You might never get something like that again! This is humanity's first flying device of the new world!"
"Yeah, you're right!" Gen pouted. "But I'm sooo scared of hot air balloons~"
"HAHAHA! In that case I don't mind trading with you!" Ryusui exclaimed, snapping his fingers–however, Shinko saw how his confidence was forced and cold sweat trailing down his temple. She guessed he really wanted that exclusive seat, huh?
"Really?" Gen asked, pursuing his lips and holding the card close. "Buuut~ I mean, I did get so lucky and pull this ticket, after all. So, I couldn't exactly give it away for free~"
With stacks of money piling up, the mentalist finally let the card changed ownership to Ryusui. Of course, he didn't even feel guilty or shame of letting it go because this is the main course he was looking for–and Ryusui played right into his hand like a doll. Although it seemed the young man didn't even realize he was being scammed in the broad daylight.
"We were supposed to pay him money, so how the heck did it turn into this…?" Taiju exclaimed in disbelief from the sudden turn out of events.
"That settles it." Yuzuriha stuttered. "I'm straight up terrified of Gen-kun."
"Perks of having understanding of human nature comes up with this…" Shinko muttered.
Meanwhile, Senku cackled merrily seeing another pile of money presented before him. "We should have plenty for buying up that oil now!"
"I guess that rounds up the people who will be riding the hot air balloon." Yuzuriha said. "You're not afraid of heights, right, Shinko-chan?"
"Fortunately, I don't," she replied, craning her neck up to study the bright blue sky–lips curling up into a content smile. "I rather fond of it now, especially after frequently being on look out. It's quite relaxing, to be honest."
"I'M INSAAAAANELY EXCITED! I'M REARING TO GO!"
That booming voice almost sent their soul to high heaven–it's not just them actually, both Senku and Gen felt like their eardrums being pierced just by the loudness. Every pair of eyes instantly looking for the source, immediately resting on a figure standing on top of the hill–panting heavily and practically drenched in sweat until it dripped down to the ground.
"Let me pull one of those too!" Chrome exclaimed, pointing to the row of cards in Gen's hand. "I want my shot in riding in the flying machine!"
"Chrome!" Kinro yelled in disbelief. "Did you run all the way back!?"
"What!? All the way from Ishigami Village!?" Ginro shrieked, paling from just imagining the length of track they needed to go through.
"Just how bad did he want to ride…?" Yo stuttered. "But we just settled the three-"
Shinko placed a hand on his shoulder and shushed him immediately preventing him from spilling the beans and not wanting to make the brunette disappointed greatly from missing his chance. Thankfully, the ex-policeman complied with a stiff nod.
"With these eyes of mine, I want to see, from up in the sky what the world is like," Chrome swallowed thickly. "I heard from Senku that the earth is round. But we've lived our lives in this little village, so all we do is hear. All we'll ever be able to do is hear about things from Senku who already knows it all. That's exactly why…"
Unlike them, the human from modern time, this era's villagers are the same as primitive kinds who knows so little about this world. Back in their time, looking at the world is as easy as few clicks of words across your phone or PC. Internet can access everything and with just a screen in front of you, you have the world in your palm.
But this time, everything is limited and Chrome couldn't satisfy his endless curiosity. So, Shinko understood his wishes clearly.
The young woman glanced at the scientist, who coincidentally did the same–their gaze clashed with each other. She knew with only a smile, he would understand her intentions. Receiving the message loud and clear, he scoffed in amusement and nodded. Gen chuckled, knowing exactly what he had to do.
He thrusted the row of cards to Chrome, who pulled snatched on one immediately. When he flipped it open, a Joker greeted him–which made him cheered in excitement and happiness. "ALRIGHT!"
"Chrome really did it!" Suika cheered for him also. "He picked it on gusto alone!"
"Seriously!? Luck is really weird sometimes~" Yo played along, earning a smile from Shinko.
"But before that," she reached for a bamboo glass and handed it to Chrome. "You should really drink first, Chrome-san. I'm scared you'll pass out from lack of fluid."
"Thanks!" the brunette accepted it gratefully and instantly downed the content until the last drop. That concludes their three passengers of the first ever flying device in this world of stone.
.
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Their preparation proceeded until in the middle of the night–maybe sometime near break of dawn because the lack of breeze and the familiar biting cold of early morning greeted them. With the half-moon accompanying and giving them some lighting, they continue to complete the hot air balloon.
Shinko handed Senku the deer bladder he needed, which he immediately filled up with hydrogen gas until it expanded. When he deemed it was enough gas inside, he gestured her to tie up the end and attached a rock along with a paper.
"A deer's bladder and hydrogen," the scientist hummed, holding onto the floating object. "Makes up out pilot balloon."
Letting go, they watched as the balloon flew up so high in the air–distance further away and still going. The paper flapped slightly when the wind hit it, with that they could guess the speed of the blowing wind.
"What's the speed it's rising at?" Ryusui asked, eyes never leaving the object.
"With that size, it's around 70 meters per minute," Senku answered with eyes focusing still.
"Can you learn anything from that?" Gen nervously chuckled.
"I can see all of the upper winds." Ryusui remarked before snapping his fingers. "We can fly in this wind! This is perfect weather to take off in!"
"But, are you really okay with this, Shinko-chan?" Gen suddenly questioned, turning her head to face her–who's preparing a bind of thick papers in hand. "Ishigami Village is really far away from here and walking there sounds grueling, especially for someone who's just recovered."
"No, it's alright," the young woman replied, giving him a smile–if Gen knew, she looked more excited than ever. Cooped up and treated like a glass wasn't a forte, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she took a great pleasure from it. "It could serve as an exercise too! It's been a while since I've been on a tree and moving. I'm actually excited for this."
"It's fine." Senku added. "Unlike walking, jumping from tree to tree takes shorter time."
Finally, it's time to take flight–Senku already lit the burners and it probably took a few seconds until all the hot air filled up the balloon. As it did, the scientist, Chrome, and Ryusui already standing inside the basket. Then the basket started spinning gradually when the balloon fully expanded to its size, which surprised Chrome.
"Whoaa! It's spinning!?"
"It's like it's become a bowl of miso soup on a wet table." Taiju commented.
"That's floating lifting up off the ground is removing all the friction." Senku graciously explained.
And then the basket finally hovering off the ground and keep going up. This was surely a sight to see for Ishigami villagers who has never seen something a man-made craft floating on its own. Gasps of awe and surprise could be heard everywhere.
"WE, WE'RE FLOATING!" Chrome screamed in disbelief, eyes looking down to see how they're not stepping on the ground anymore and defying gravity instead. "INSANE!"
Then they were gone like that–keep moving up until the distance made them smaller, flying in the night sky towards the Ishigami Village.
"They're really doing it!" Magma exclaimed in disbelief–eyes so wide Shinko thought it would pop off from its socket. "They're flying into the sky!"
"They've already become so small…" Suika added, eyes never leaving the view of the balloon.
"Then, it looks like I have to get going as well." Shinko huffed, placing a bag pack filled with sorts of refreshments for her long adventure ahead. She couldn't thank Yuzuriha more for all the clothes and food she stuffed into the bag–it would be more than enough to have until she reached the village.
"Be careful, okay?" Yuzuriha took a hold of her hand.
She gave her a smile of reassurance. "You don't have to worry, Yuzuriha-chan."
"Why do you have to gooo?" Minami whined, slouching over her–hugging her arm, asking her to not leave. "We'll be lonely here without you!"
"The faster I'll go, the faster we could build a map and be back." chuckling, she gave her head a gentle pat. "Besides, with Chrome-san and Kohaku-chan, we're going to finish it early."
"Beware of bears!" Gen reminded with a little bit of teasing, which earned him a love-filled smack from Nikki–making the young man yelped in pain.
"Don't jinx it!" the blonde hissed before sighing in defeat. "But he's right though, be careful for wild animals out there."
"We'll see you soon!" Suika added, latching onto her leg. Shinko grinned from how cute the little girl, lifting her up and twirled her around until she squealed in glee.
At this moment, Kingdom of Science changed completely into a whole family–working together to restore humanity, supporting each other in any aspects, and protect their own. It was perfect on its own, something she couldn't ask for more. She knew each other longed for the home they've lost because of the petrification, but now they finally found it in each other's existence.
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Early in the morning, Ishigami Village was getting a pleasant surprise from the Kingdom of Science–a big hot air balloon descended from the bright blue sky to the Science Shed outside the village's territory surrounded by water. Kohaku was the first one who took a notice, instantly cheering in amazement to catch up with the first flying device she's ever seen in her whole life.
"They're flying!" she exclaimed, smiling widely and waving towards the passengers on board. "They're really flying!"
Ukyo was also amazed, undoubtedly–they did earn another modern time invention just in a matter of days. With the hot air balloon, building a map would become easier now since they have bird's eye's view. He along with the villagers welcomed them from the ground while Kohaku helped bringing the vehicle down using a rope.
Just from how Senku earning such a warm welcome from the villagers, he truly had a special place in their heart. From making their live easier with scientific inventions to being a wise tribe chief they could look up to–Ukyo couldn't help but smile.
"The hot air balloon really does help with the transportation aspect," Ukyo commented, looking up to study the looming object before him. Kohaku was trying to deflate it by jumping on it to squeeze the air out. It was work but she seemed to have a lot of fun doing it–treating it like a slide they usually had in public parks. "How long did it take from here to the construction site?"
"Around three hours," Senku replied, arms crossing over his chest. "And by tomorrow, we're ready to make a map. The huntress will probably be here by night so it's fit the schedule."
Ukyo kind of expected it from Senku because he's the one who has the most understanding of time they have currently–which was not much to start with. It wouldn't be a problem to start immediately after knowing the oil was their main source of energy for the ship. Once they begin their map-making journey tomorrow with Shinko–wait.
"Shinko is coming here!?" Ukyo exclaimed in disbelief, eyes widened–he immediately turned his head to face Senku, who looked nonchalant as ever. He's not even fazed by the absurdity of the words he just said. "By foot!? She's still recovering!"
"She'll be okay because it's already a week," the scientist sighed, sticking a finger into his ear. "Besides, we need her god-like eyes. More the means to have her around."
Aside from getting a surprise in a form of hot air balloon in this stone era, Ukyo found himself almost suffering from a heart attack in just a matter of few minutes after.
.
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Maybe Senku's insanity is indeed contagious somehow and maybe Shinko is one of the victims for it. Why did Ukyo think about that? Because she literally discarded her only chance of riding the hot air balloon and chose to reach the village by foot without a second thought–or maybe by trees knowing they did that almost every day back at the empire. Crazy, especially knowing it took two days to get to the place.
But, in the end, Senku explained to him that she did that so Chrome could have the first flight experience in this stone world. For modern people like them, flying across the sky and sailing beyond the ocean are mundane–it could be done anytime as long as you have cash in your pocket.
However, it was almost a crazy imagination for primitive humans like Chrome–who could only hear all about them from Senku's stories. It wouldn't be a surprise if he wants to experience it with his own eyes. With that reasoning, Ukyo didn't have a choice but to relent–first, because of Chrome's eagerness and never-ending thirst of knowledge, and second, because he probably did the same just to let the young man live his dream.
To distract his mind from the slight worry gnawing, he decided to help the scientist re-arranging the hot air balloon–the burner was lifted up from the basket so it could cool down and they stretched some rope from tree to tree in order to lay down the balloon. After that, they had meetings to do–embarking a new journey in making a map surely needs planning.
Calm he may be from the outside, however, from the inside he was restless from many scenarios building itself in his mind–only adding more worry and anxiety.
Ukyo couldn't even keep track on how many times he's glancing at the line of trees beyond the village–he did it so often it's almost as if he was programmed to do so. Even with both Chrome and Kohaku's reassurance, it still didn't ease his worries.
"Hey, Ukyo, it gave me quite a curiosity about something," Kohaku suddenly piped, gaining his attention.
"What is it?" he asked, signaling her to continue.
"Are you and Shinko significant others?"
The straight line he's currently drawing instantly changed course into jagged one–that and he almost stabbed the charcoal pencil right through the paper. His mind suddenly went blank from the question alone until he could hear white noise beside his eardrums.
What?
What?
Why on earth did she bring that up as if it was nothing!?
Intense heat immediately engulfed him from head to toe–if somehow Kohaku mentioned something about him being almost as red as a tomato, he's probably lost at words. Well, even without that, he already felt his brain short-circuited at the moment–the question combusted almost all of his braincells.
"N-no, we're not," at least he managed to stuttered out a denial. "We're partners in lookout? Sort of best friends…?"
"Really?" Chrome piped up, a brow rose–maybe from how unsure he sounded. "I thought you two are married."
Now, Ukyo successfully choked on air.
While Kohaku's question sent him into contemplating his existence, then Chrome's made him fell into a mid-life crisis. How did writing their plans will end up by him writing his last will as he coughed his lungs out? He blamed the two for this–even though it perfectly distracted him.
"What made you think so?" he tried to speak between his coughs–Kohaku tried to ease intensity by patting his back and Chrome gave him a bamboo glass of water, which he downed in seconds.
Of course he wasn't ready for this kind of questions–sure there would be stares lingering when he and Shinko are close with each other, but no one has ever pointed that out or even questioned it right in front of him. He was content with that, however, it seems he needed to clear things out–aside from that, he's kind of impressed by Kohaku's straightforwardness.
"You're really attached to each other," the blonde answered. "It gives up a different impression than just friendship. I always see it as something more? Something that only the two of you share with each other."
Kohaku does have a point–the only person he's content to have skin-ship is Shinko and beyond her, he's not feeling comfortable. That, and she's probably the first person he will be looking for if he's in need of help or just wanting a company. Shinko has become an inseparable part of his life in this new world.
"Do you like her?" Kohaku added.
Do you like her?
Those innocent question now sounded more like a curse and a slap to his being. He's not that clueless nor dense either–the young man knew what Kohaku was talking about. Like, as in, romantic feelings that develops in a person for the other. That kind of like–that one phase in life you're going through when you're an adolescent.
Do you like her?
Ukyo swore he could combust here and now.
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The sun began to dip into the horizon.
The earth was bathed in warm orange glow–signaling the world that it's already evening and soon will become night in just a matter of few hours. While the others were enjoying the beautiful ray of colors and glistening waters, Ukyo bit his thumb nervously. It was impossible to appreciate the view.
Also, the village was rejoicing from the returning of their chief and Ukyo couldn't feel the same–he found himself feeling guilty about it. The elders were preparing a feast for them and refused their help along the way, saying that they're guests currently and it would be nice to do something in return for them.
In the midst of his clouded mind, everything was extremely loud in his ears–his senses heightened to the point of being uncomfortable. Ukyo could hear every bit of rustling, every creak of the woods, even faint splashes of water.
That was until he heard heavy thumping and rustling much louder than before. He instantly snapped his head up–startling Chrome and Kohaku in the process.
"Whoa! What's wrong Ukyo?" the brunette asked.
"Is there something out there in the forest?" Kohaku added.
They questions went ignored as he scrambled to be on his feet–dashing outside and leaving the confused two behind in order to approach the line of trees. Each time his foot met the ground, the sound was getting closer. Ukyo skidded to a stop and at the same time Shinko jumped down from a branch.
"Ukyo-san!" she greeted and her voice sounded more melodious in real life.
He didn't know when but a wide grin automatically plastered on his face. Holding his hands up he caught her by the waist and twirled. Their laughs filled the air–finally, all of his worries instantly evaporate and left him with only pure bliss.
"Nice to see you again." he said, lowering her until her feet met the ground.
"Same goes for you, Ukyo-san," Shinko gave him a dazzling smile, hands instantly found his–which of course, he welcomed eagerly. Maybe touch-starved would be the fitting word to reflect his feelings currently.
"Come on let's head back to the village, you must be exhausted." He remarked, pulling her along as they walked towards the village.
Having her here for real almost like a fever dream, he even pinched himself to be convinced that this is indeed a reality. Knowing it is, happiness and glee bloomed even more in his chest. Having her hand back in his hold is bliss–but most importantly, seeing her healthy is all he could ask for.
Do you like her?
The question suddenly echoed in his mind–he didn't know what bought it up, however he could feel his cheeks tingled with warmth. Taking a glance at her figure bathing underneath the glow of the golden hour, he was greeted with her warm smile–something that sent his heart racing.
Do you like her?
Does he?