In the village of Ishigami, nestled in a world where humanity had been petrified for centuries, there lived a girl named Kunzite. With her golden-brown eyes and her dark, unassuming hair, Kunzite was a figure of solitude.
From a young age, Kunzite was different from the other children in the village. While they played and laughed, she preferred to sit quietly, observing the world around her with a keen eye. She was not shy, per se, but rather introspective, always lost in her own thoughts.
As Kunzite grew older, her reputation as a silent observer only grew. She was known for her keen insight and ability to notice things that others overlooked. The villagers often sought her out for advice, believing that she could see things that were hidden to the rest of them... Or the word Counsel would do.
One day, a young man arrived in Ishigami Village. Kunzite's golden-brown eyes were fixed on the stranger who had suddenly appeared in their village. From her vantage point behind a large boulder, she observed the young man with spiky hair, calculating eyes, and an aura of confidence that made him stand out immediately. He called himself Senkuu and spoke of things that sounded like magic but were rooted in something called "science."
...
She watched as the man set up his makeshift lab. Hishands moved with precision, combining ingredients and creating reactions that left the Chrome, her friend, in awe. She noticed how he explained everything with patience and enthusiasm, making complex ideas seem almost simple. From her hidden spot, she admired his passion but felt too timid to approach.
She doesn't know if this man can be trusted, but she trust Chrome's judgment. So she'll just sit back and observe them. Chrome's excitement was palpable, and Kunzite felt a pang of warmth, seeing her friend so animated. She watched as they bonded over their shared love for discovery, Chrome showing Senkuu his collection of minerals and explaining their significance. Kunzite smiled, happy that Chrome had found a kindred spirit.
...
Days turned into weeks, and Kunzite continued to observe from a distance. She saw how Senkuu tirelessly worked on projects that seemed impossible. When Senkuu and Chrome teamed up to create rudimentary tools and inventions, she felt a surge of pride for Chrome and a growing respect for Senkuu. Yet, her shyness kept her from joining their conversations.
...
Chrome noticed Senkuu's curious glances in Kunzite's direction and couldn't resist asking, "What's on your mind, Senkuu? You keep looking at Kunzite."
Senkuu glanced at Chrome, a playful glint in his eye. "I'm just intrigued. She's always watching, always observing. I wonder what she sees that we don't."
Chrome chuckled. "Ah, Kunzite. She's like a shadow, always there but never really noticed. She's a bit shy, but she's really smart. I think she sees things differently."
Senkuu's interest was piqued. "Differently how?"
Chrome shrugged. "I'm not sure, the villagers kept on asking for her advice whenever they had problems. Well she's like family to me, Senkuu. I see her as a big sister. Maybe you should talk to her, see what she has to say."
'Whenever they had problems, huh. Probably she's like the village therapist.' Senkuu nodded thoughtfully. "I will consider. It's always good to get a different perspective."
...
When news spread that Senkuu was working on a cure for Ruri, Kunzite's interest piqued even more. Ruri had been suffering for a long time, and the hope that Senkuu could help her was a beacon for everyone. Kunzite watched as Senkuu and Chrome gathered herbs, minerals, and other ingredients, working late into the night.
...
One evening, Kunzite noticed Senkuu sitting alone by the river, taking a rare break. He seemed deep in thought, the weight of his mission evident on his face. Quietly, she left a small pouch of dried herbs she knew had calming properties near his workstation, hoping it might help. The next day, she saw Senkuu using them in tea, with a slight smile on his lips. He never knew who left them, but Kunzite felt a quiet satisfaction.
...
The day came when Senkuu and Chrome presented the finished medicine to Ruri. Kunzite stood at the back of the gathered crowd, her heart pounding. She watched as Ruri took the first dose, the village holding its collective breath. Slowly, color returned to Ruri's cheeks, and her breathing eased. The relief and joy were palpable.
Senkuu's eyes scanned the crowd, meeting Kunzite's for a brief moment. He gave a nod, as if acknowledging her silent support. Kunzite smiled shyly, her heart swelling with pride for what they had all accomplished.
As she watched Senkuu, a thought crossed her mind-perhaps he wasn't as bad as she had initially thought. His determination and ingenuity had brought hope and healing to their village, and Kunzite couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for him. Kunzite lingered for a moment, watching Senkuu as he spoke with the village elder. She admired the way he listened intently, his eyes alight with curiosity and compassion.
Senkuu sat at his makeshift lab table, surrounded by bubbling beakers and intricate contraptions. Kunzite approached quietly from behind, her eyes scanning the various experiments with curiosity.
"Kunzite, right? Heard you from Chrome." Senkuu said without looking up from his work. "What brings you here?"
"I noticed the new setup," Kunzite replied softly, her gaze fixed on a particularly complex device. "What are you working on?"
Senkuu glanced up, a spark of interest in his eyes. "I'm trying to synthesize ibuprofen. A reliable painkiller will be a game-changer for the village. You've got a good eye for details. Not many people around here notice the small changes."
'Painkiller?' Kunzite questioned in her head but she just nodded. "I like to keep an eye on things. You never know what might be important."
Senkuu smiled, appreciating her perspective. "Exactly. Science is all about those details. Care to help me out? I could use someone with your observational skills."
Kunzite's eyes lit up. "I'd like that. What do you need me to do?"
"Watch closely," Senkuu instructed, "and tell me if you notice anything unusual while I run this experiment."
Kunzite leaned in, her attention fully on the experiment. "What exactly are we looking for?"
Senkuu adjusted a valve, causing a liquid to bubble more vigorously. "Any change in consistency, smell, or reaction time. Sometimes, the smallest anomaly can lead to a breakthrough."
As Kunzite observed, she noticed a slight shift in the consistency of the mixture. "It's thickening a bit. Is that supposed to happen?"
Senkuu grinned, scooting closer to her. "Good catch! That means we're on the right track. This reaction could help us create a more effective painkiller."
Kunzite smiled while feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I'm glad I could help. What's next?"
Senkuu hummed. "Simple. Now we refine it."
This time, Kohaku approached quietly, observing the two having a conversation together. She tapped Kunzite's shoulder, leaning to her. "It's rare to see you approach people, Kunzite."
Kunzite glanced to her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude toward Senkuu for his efforts in healing Ruri and improving the lives of everyone in the village.
"I've been observing Senkuu and Chrome from afar," Kunzite admitted shyly to Kohaku. "I wanted to understand their work and how it could benefit us all. Chrome, especially... He's like a little kid in my eyes, a younger brother I need to watch over."
Kohaku grinned excitedly. "That's so sweet, Kunzite! But why have you been watching them so closely?"
Kunzite hesitated, then replied, "I just... I wanted to make sure Chrome was safe and that Senkuu's intentions were good. I know Chrome looks up to him, and I needed to be sure he was trustworthy."
As they talked, Senkuu approached, a knowing smile on his face. "Well Kunzite, I've heard about you from Chrome. He confirmed that you were the one who gave me calming herbs one night."
Kunzite blushed, surprised that Chrome had mentioned her. "I... I just thought it might help you relax. I didn't know he would tell you."
Senkiu chuckled. "He didn't tell me directly, he just confirmed it to me. I just happened to notice the scent of lemon balm that night and you're the only person who smells like sweet lemons. It's quite refreshing."
Senkuu looked at her in the eyes. "I'm grateful for the herbs you gave me that night. They helped more than you know."
Kohaku smirked, teasingly nudging Kunzite. "Looks like you've made quite an impression, Kunzite. Who knows, maybe there's a budding scientist in you yet."
Kunzite smiled shyly, feeling a warmth in her heart. She had never expected her actions to lead to such a moment, but she was grateful for the connection she had made with Senkuu and Kohaku.
"Senkuu, the air is starting to smell different," Kunzite mildly stated, smelling the air, her nose crinkling slightly.
Senkuu walked back to his lab and sniffed the concoction. "That's the esterification process. We're forming the active compound. Now we just need to crystallize it."
As Senkuu worked on his project, Kunzite looked up Kohaku, catching Kohaku's smile for her.
...
AN: I made this around 3 AM so expect some mistakes, especially I haven't read the manga for years.
Just the thought of Senkuu made me write this.
Hope you enjoyed though!