Angel: Warning, there's minor sexual content at the end. Look away if you don't wanna read it once you see the message. And a hint is that it has to do with the intimacy chat that Sumi and Senku had. And yes, that scene with Sumire in the last chapter was a reference to Why Did I Get Married? Used to watch that movie a lot as a teenager.
I forgot to mention when I first uploaded the chapter, but next up is a Code Lyoko remake because I don't like the quality of it nowadays, and I made a few mistakes writing some plotlines. Hopefully it's more refined by the time I upload the first chapter. It might be like a week or so before I upload that because I'm in midterms right now. After that will be Regular Show, and afterwards, My Hero Academia. I'm gonna try to work on the latter two at the same time once Code Lyoko is done, we'll see how that works out for me.
Chrome held up the Medusa. "Got the device and unlimited revival fluid! By petrifying and reviving ourselves, we can heal the baddest of wounds now without stressing out Sumi! Together they're the Dr. Stone set!"
Mirai gasped in realization and her eyes shook with hope. "So, finally...we can...help him!" She murmured happily while Chalk licked at Minami's face.
Senku chuckled as he and Sumi walked up from behind. "That's right, Mirai," She smiled with a hand on her hip. "With this set in our hands, it's finally possible. Been a few months, but there's no reason why it shouldn't work."
"Yeah," Senku agreed with his lover, holding her hand. "Let's wake him from that cold sleep and let him thaw. We're gonna need the strongest primate high schooler..."
Tsukasa was still frozen in the fridge, his eyes closed as frost was all over his body.
"Shishio Tsukasa!" He and Sumi announced in unison.
"After all this time..." Mirai had tears in her eyes while clasping her hands. "We can finally save my brother! I looked after him every day just like I said I would, Sumi. Because you and your grandma did the same thing for me...! I wish I could talk to her and say thank you..."
Sumi gave a small sad smile as she approached the blonde girl. She then patted Mirai on the head gently. "Yeah...you and me both, Mirai. But you did a wonderful job looking after him. I have no doubt nothing's changed about him," She told the little girl gently.
Mirai gasped happily while looking up at her, nodding sharply. "Yeah! I made sure he was taken of and that nothing was different!" She promised the black-haired scientist. The others looked sad for her that Rika was long gone...and didn't know anything about what Sumi was doing in the present for both Tsukasa and reviving humanity.
"W-We helped too!" A man from the Tsukasa Empire stammered while blushing, and other men lined up too, hoping that she'd praise them as well. "We made sure he was comfortable!"
"I got him seashells!"
"I cleaned his fridge!"
Sumi flinched in alarm at this as they all wanted some affection from her too like she gave Mirai. "G-Good job then, everyone...?" She stammered awkwardly and they all fell to the ground in a heap, alarming them.
"Did they really think they'd get anything more than that?" Yuzuriha gave an awkward look. "Sumi's not that far drastic to give them kisses or anything like that, especially in front of Senku."
The green-haired scientist blinked and then gave a small scoff. He had known far too well into the relationship that Sumi wouldn't do something like that. Usually other men like Ryusui or Moz instigated it first, not her. "Well, the whole reviving Tsukasa thing's still a pretty big gamble," Senku finally spoke up, getting Sumi's attention as she looked over her shoulder. "There's no way to test the process out for it."
"Very true," Gen gave a sheepish smile nearby. "Though we called it cold sleep, we really just put Tsukasa on ice."
"Well, it's not like we had a choice..." Sumi rubbed the back of her neck a bit hesitantly. She still had no idea if this would even work on him...the revival fluid was known for accomplishing many miraculous things, but death might've been asking for too much.
"Heh," Ryusui stepped up with a small smile. "But my sailor's instincts tell me...that's not the hole that'll sink us...Ibara stabbed you, right?" Senku was attempting to activate the Medusa when Ibara's claws sunk into his shoulder. Sumi called out to him while reaching out her hand.
Sumi frowned a bit as right after that was...the groping. And she really didn't wanna think about it any longer than she had already spent time on the event. Senku noticed her reaction and squeezed her hand silently, and she silently took a breather to calm down.
"Senku..." Ryusui spoke up again. "Given how pragmatic you are, you would've healed yourself with the Dr. Stone set straight away, am I wrong? Same goes for Sumi when she broke her ankle or even got that scar." The two just blinked as everyone stared at him. "Doubt it. The cracks in your forehead and neck are still there, meaning you guys haven't used them yet. So you intend for Tsukasa to be the first. Why is that? You must have a good reason."
"As a doctor, you're exactly right. My reason is pretty obvious from the get-go," Sumi started off with a small smile. "But even if I wanted to use it on myself, we can't just keep using the device willy-nilly like that."
"Yup," Senku gave him a smirk. "Physically, we have the device, but now it's out of juice."
Everyone gasped in shock to hear this news. "It runs on batteries, you guys?!" Taiju yelped to his friends.
Senku chuckled in response. "Not really sure. It'd be great if we had the luxury of just breaking it apart and analyzing its inner workings. There is something powering it, though. Can't make unlimited energy from nothing, because that defies physics."
"Unfortunately, we have the only remaining Medusa. So even if we could break it apart, it's risking the way it's built or created," Sumi placed her hands on her hips. "And we don't wanna do that if we're trying to still figure out its origins little by little."
"Kirisame," Senku turned to her and she flinched from being addressed. "When you specify the light's range, that's the radius?"
She took a moment to think about it. "Yes, but why?" She couldn't help but wonder.
"Violet and I had set a five-meter range when we gave Ibara the gorgon treatment. But the light that's shown out of it as a result had about a meter and a half radius at most," Senku explained to the female warrior.
"Then your eyes must've deceived you, because it's never once deviated the way you suggest," She defended and Sumi raised a brow.
"Our eyes weren't playing tricks on us, I can assure you. Were any of you ever warned about the range of the Medusa?" Sumi raised a brow curiously. "Like maybe someone told you to never use a certain range?"
She gasped in realization as she remembered something. The master looked down at the group of children, one of them including Kirisame. "I want you to understand something. The petrification light mustn't be used over a whole mountain, or any broad area for that matter." She then gave a look of disbelief; was this why he gave her that warning when she was a child? Because he knew that the device had limits? "Its power was zapped...?"
"Oh, Sumi," Minami turned to her curiously. "How many pictures did you take?"
Sumi flinched with wide eyes as...during the whole war with the Treasure Island, there wasn't really a proper time to take pictures. She then started sweating nervously. "Ummm...about that, Minami, I-"
"I suspected this would happen!" Francois announced and revealed the same timer they had used before they first set sail. "So I had planted multiple sets around the island to take all the pictures you needed, Sumire," They bowed to the black-haired scientist.
"Thank you, Francois...!" Sumi cried out gratefully to her, and in a small state of shock that this happened.
Senku and Sumi both opened the fridge together at the cave. Chrome lifted up the door even further as the smoke came from it. Both of them then frowned as they remembered how they even got to this point in the first place. Sumi's eyes glistened looking at him.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM NOW! MIRAI! TSUKASA!" Senku shouted as loud as he could.
"Hyoga isn't to be trusted, run away!" Sumi screamed at the top of her lungs. Hyoga spun his kudayari in Mirai's direction. Sumi then gasped in realization, reaching for her whip. She pulled it out quickly and threw it as hard as she could while gritting her teeth. A loud snap was heard just as Sumi's whip was about to reach them, and she gasped in horror as her whip fell to the grass, just a few feet away...
Mirai glanced back...as right behind her was her brother, the kudayari speared right through his lung. His hands were outstretched right in front of his sister, blood oozing out from his fresh wound.
Senku glanced up at Sumi, who tried to calm down. "The only way we can save you...is to petrify you." Gen blinked in shock, straightening up.
"Petrify him to save him?" He asked them in disbelief.
"We're gonna take advantage of the regenerative effects of coming out of petrification. That'll be what ultimately heals him."
Sumi blinked sadly, her hands on her skirt while looking at Tsukasa. "The petrification revived Senku when his neck got broken...so it only makes sense that the same thing happens to Tsukasa once we do that."
"First you break my heart...and now you've gotta freeze me to death? I knew I loved you for a reason," Tsukasa looked towards Sumi happily, causing the other three to gasp. Sumi's eyes softened at him.
She closed her eyes at that last part. She had no idea how he'd take it when he found out that she and Senku were in a relationship. Which had started not too long after he was frozen, so he might not take it that well that she seemingly moved on that easily...but she didn't, it was already hard enough for her just to confess to Senku after 3,700 years. And she would think that she'd hope that he wouldn't pine for her again just like last time, but...she didn't believe at this point those were even his intentions anymore. Not when she rejected him on his deathbed, which she still hated having done to him. Just because things didn't work out romantically between her and Tsukasa, didn't mean that it didn't still cross her mind that those were a few of the last words he heard from her.
Senku stared at the frozen body as well; he hadn't forgotten about Tsukasa's sacrifice or his love for Sumi either. At the time Tsukasa was about to die, he could tell that...the man was heartbroken, but still content with Sumi's decision. It was a hard time for him, he could finally admit, that he was worried...Sumi might've chosen Tsukasa over him if not for their history. He would admit that now, if it wasn't for the fact that she stated directly that she didn't care if he didn't show her much affection or it was a long process to accept love as normal. Love he knew was still troublesome at times, but...being with Sumi, it was now practically a different science for him, to understand just how relationships worked. And he knew that after all this time, what he felt from Sumi...was something she never showed to Tsukasa. If Tsukasa would accept it now, he didn't know, but he believed that Tsukasa would understand that they didn't get together for the sake of it.
Mirai stepped up to the silent duo, bending down. She held the Medusa while shedding some tears. "Even if it's barely a flicker..." She clasped the device in her hands in hope. "Please work...! We just need it to shine a tiny bit, one last time!" She then gave a determined look while planting the Medusa into his hand, placing her tiny hand onto his frozen one. Suddenly two more hands went over hers and she gasped in shock. She blinked in surprise to see that they belonged to Taiju.
"Mirai, hold onto his hand with all that you've got," He encouraged the little girl. "Real tight, okay?"
"Great idea!" Kohaku popped up out of nowhere, alarming Mirai. The others watched with either white eyes or shadows over them. All except Senku, who looked a bit skeptical. "Even the tiniest glimmer of its light should work! Just keep on pressing and squeezing his hand to the Medusa!"
"There's healthy optimism and then there's what you said," Senku deadpanned at her. "Not even Violet's that bad."
"You know damn well that I am not as excited as Kohaku can get about stuff like she said," Sumi gave him a blank look. This kinda reminded her of when they saw Amaryllis get proposed to, and it was the same feeling here. Kohaku grabbed Mirai's other hand and then pressed against it as well.
"Stop it before you meatheads crush Mirai's little hands!" Minami yelped while waving her hands rapidly, especially as Taiju and Kohaku looked a little too eager.
"If it gives my brother a better chance of coming back to life, then they can crush every part of me! It'll be worth it," Mirai stated meekly with tears in her eyes.
"Ah!" Sumi looked at them with white eyes from her declaration. "I highly don't encourage that, but it is really sweet on your part, Mirai..."
Senku then sighed and reached out his hand, joining them. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try, at least. Heh heh. If I get caught in the device's petrifying light, my wounds and cracks will be fixed right along with Tsukasa's."
"That's actually a good point," Sumi hummed while placing her hand on top as well. "But I don't really care if it heals me or not. I just know that to people I love, my looks don't really matter."
Senku and Mirai turned to her in shock, the little girl beaming. The green-haired scientist would've just laughed this whole thing off, but no, he was actually pitching in. And Mirai could tell that it wasn't just for science, it was also for her sake. As for Sumi, Senku was silently happy that she wasn't putting herself down here like he had said to her.
Gen rolled up his sleeve as he joined. "The odds aren't nonexistent. Think of electric razors, cell phones, and the like. Turning them off and on after their batteries have died gives them a spark of life."
Chrome reached from Sumi's left side, his hand on top silently. Mirai smiled happily from how much they were all hoping it would work just so she could have her brother back...she was so lucky to have them helping her and then gave a determined look.
"Affect one meter, in one second!" The seven of them stated in unison. The Medusa then lit up, and petrified Tsukasa in no time flat. Senku took out the jar of revival fluid.
"Now for the fluid!" He popped off the cork and poured it over the body. A yellow glow came from it and they all watched in silence. Tsukasa's hand twitched as Mirai gasped sharply, tears in her eyes. And finally...standing before her, alive, was her brother. The little girl then started to cry as she remembered as well that he had sacrificed his life for her. If she had been hit, it would've been being braindead all over again...he placed a loving hand on his sister's head, a small smile on his face. Just like most of the Kingdom of Science, his cracks were gone as well.
"You're okay...!" Mirai shouted happily through her tears. She continued to cry as the others watched.
"Oh, man," Nikki smiled fondly at them. "That's one way to tug at the heartstrings. You're gonna join in their touching reunion?" She glanced down at Minami, who was crying with a light blush over her face. Considering she was Tsukasa's fan girl, of course she missed him as well, but for Mirai's sake, she was simply watching.
"It really isn't a mere sight. And I'd love to say hi," She reached out to dab at her eyes. "His family should come first before fangirls though, so I'll respect their-" She flinched as she was suddenly pushed by Ruri from behind. She yelped in alarm as Ruri had an innocent look on her face doing so.
"You're surprisingly strong, Ruri. And pushy," Nikki looked down at her in shock.
"For real," Chrome chimed in with a smile, arms crossed. "Got used to her being sickly, but she is a gorilla's big sister! Mmhm."
Kohaku popped up with a shadow over her eyes. Chrome yelped as he was suddenly on the ground with head bumps. Kohaku had a giant fist with a smile as Minami cried to Tsukasa. Chrome was shaking as Sumi gave a sweatdrop towards the two.
I honestly thought he had stopped doing that, but I guess not...
"Welcome back, Tsukasa!" Minami shouted happily as he had a hand over her head. He then silently walked up to Senku and Sumi, going right past the two. He then stopped right between the two, none of them looking at each other. Senku had a small smile on his face while Sumi looked happy that he was alive and well.
"...What's the situation?" He asked them simply, just like he did when they met. But this time, it didn't put them off over his behavior because this time...they weren't enemies anymore.
"But he only just woke up," Matsukaze blinked in shock over Tsukasa's behavior of getting straight to the point.
"That's Tsukasa for you," Nikki gave a small smile, along with Ukyo. "That's just how he is."
"Say what you will about the man, but he always stays cool," Ukyo commented, though it wasn't too far off from how Senku was—when he wasn't acting irrationally if it was related to something about Sumi that is.
Senku then gave a small smile, his arms crossed. "We're invading the moon," He explained a bit too cheerfully, and Tsukasa stared at them in silence. He then flinched as his eyes were bulging, as it took only 10 seconds to break his calmness.
"It's a long story, but we'll tell you one day," Sumi spoke up next with a smile.
"Well, there's a first time for everything, right guys?" Ukyo murmured awkwardly as he, Nikki, and Matsukaze had shadows over their eyes. Gen then popped up on the opposite side.
"Anybody would lose their cool. Especially someone from the 21st century..." He muttered as he had been there before, many times. In fact, he was still feeling a little bewildered himself hearing it again, even though he already knew the plan...
"Flying to the moon won't be your average trip," Tsukasa said after calming down. "So it will require a small yet elite team. Including a strong bodyguard. That's why I'm standing here. That, and you don't want Sumi to get hurt if you sent her instead."
Senku chuckled with a small smirk. "Hey, I'm impressed, ice-pop, really. That's ten billion percent correct. You know I'm too sick of seeing your damn face to revive you otherwise, right? Except about Violet, though. I know damn well she can handle herself, it's just that we have to make it fair for everyone to choose the right roles."
"Liar," Everyone else in the room muttered knowingly at him.
"Do I really need to worry about that?" Sumi raised a brow at Senku. Deep down, he just didn't want to see her get hurt or worse. That was the best he could do for her after the whole Ibara thing besides being there for her of course.
"Hm," Tsukasa looked away briefly and then smiled towards Senku and Sumi. "I can tell as just a gut feeling. But...you two are together, right?"
"Yep!" Senku placed a casual arm around Sumi's shoulders. "Got myself a badass warrior for a lover. So don't take it too hard I snatched up the woman you wanted as a wife for over a year!"
"SENKU!" Sumi shouted in disbelief at him with white eyes and clenching her fists. Her teeth were also in sharp fangs. "Why would you tell him that?! I mean, I know you by now, but still! Would've been nice to at least ease into it first!"
Tsukasa blinked rapidly at the two and then chuckled. He had no idea why it took him so long to realize why they worked well together. It wasn't because of a power dynamic, it was because they were just stronger as a partnership. And...if it had to be anyone to make her happy, he was almost glad that it was Senku.
"Don't worry, Sumi," He spoke up, getting their attention. "I'm actually glad for you two. And I offer my congratulations, and wish you two the best."
"...Thank you, Tsukasa," Sumi smiled happily from him calling her by her nickname as a friend, and for not being too upset like she feared.
"Senku! Sumi!" Ginro extended his neck with a playful look on his face. "I just figured out what's going on!" He laughed while floating over to them, hands behind his head. "Aww, you hurried back for Tsukasa's sake because you were worried he was gonna spoil in the freezer! And because you wanted to let him down gently that you two were together," He gave a big grin while nudging the both of them. "You hate that mushy stuff, though, unless it's from your girlfriend~! If you're really that used to it by now, why not give her a big smooch?"
"It's like we're witnessing the embodiment of thoughtlessness!" Kohaku shouted at Ginro with white eyes. Nikki, Gen, Ukyo, and Kinro watched as well in either disbelief or wincing.
"Stop, Ginro! Good grief!" His brother shouted at him.
"If you wanted an experienced fighter, you could've used my man-servant! I mean my trusty escort Matsukaze, but you chose not to!" Ginro bragged while knocking his hand against his head. Sumi had a red mark near her forehead as he then wrapped his arms around the two. "Come on, pucker up~!"
Sumi rubbed a temple and then took a deep breath. "Sorry in advance for this, but..." She didn't finish her sentence as suddenly there was a flash of white and then whip cracks being heard. Sumi stood over the blond as he was shaking in pain, head bumps over his head, and even having some bumps on his back. "You need to stop it right now before I have to tape your mouth shut for trying to butt into relationships!" She shouted with white angry eyes and clenched fists, and then she growled towards him. "Honestly, we don't do anything like that for anyone's entertainment!"
"Ah...I'm sorry, ma'am..." He whined out in pain.
"Ha ha ha! I think this is the most excited I've ever been from her being like this," Senku laughed while hugging his stomach, tears flying from his eyes.
"That's not really saying much considering how scary she's being right about now..." Ukyo murmured staring at him.
"I guess she was just done with it as we were at this point..." Nikki sweat dropped a little.
"Hmm," Matsukaze narrowed his eyes at Tsukasa, half his face in shadow. So he's Tsukasa. He watched as the man was given his cape back, and he draped it over his shoulders. Just from a glance, I can tell he's a dignified warrior who's honed himself to perfection. He stepped up and bowed towards Tsukasa. "My name is Matsukaze. Valiant sir, once you are well, and if you approve, I humbly request a spar with you and Sumire."
"Mm?" She blinked at him that he was bringing her into this. But then again, Hyoga had done the same thing not too long ago, so she wasn't sure if she should be surprised anymore.
"Sure, let's go. Ready whenever you are," Tsukasa glanced down at him with a small smile.
"I mean, if this is what you really want, Matsukaze, then I won't say no," Sumi stepped up from behind.
"But perhaps we should take it outside..."
And not too long after, Matsukaze had found himself losing to Tsukasa. He landed safely and turned around, bowing. "I admit defeat." He looked up to see him sparing with Sumi now. She leapt backwards as he charged in, allowing her to grip his wrist with her whip. He swung down his fist to send her flying, but she flipped and touched his shoulders, using that as momentum to flip and land behind his back.
Ginro was shaking as all his confidence was gone now from before...everyone was cheering on Tsukasa and Sumi as they continued sparring. He lunged a fist forward and she ducked her head quickly, her hair flying above her head. She flung up her leg to kick him into the chin and he flew backwards, some blood on his lip. He wiped it off with the back of his hand. "Impressive, Sumi. Even though we've never faced each other until now...you've fought several strong men like myself, haven't you? Not at my level, but close enough."
She gave a small smirk as she stood up. "Yup. Although they're certainly nothing on you, Tsukasa." Moz had come close, though.
"I appreciate you not holding back. Your quick reflexes managed to land a hit on me," He bowed to her and she did the same. He then looked to Matsukaze. He's strong, and Sumi herself has definitely had just as much experience. If only he'd learned refined martial arts from the modern age...
"What a beast, both of them," Yo commented since he had never seen either of them fight up until now. With Tsukasa, he was busy guarding Chrome's cell, and with Sumi, he was both petrified and too far away to see her fights on Treasure Island. "It's almost like the dude was never frozen and she's reaching his level. Which can't be good news. Any smack talk I hear from him about killing Senku or Sumi...meaning he'll have to answer to Sheriff Yo and his old blasty buddy!" He held up the gun with a nervous smile.
"You realize you're shaky as hell, right?" Nikki pointed out to him.
"You fought well," Tsukasa told Matsukaze and Sumi smiled at the man.
"He's right, Matsukaze. You certainly don't lack in strength," She told him while putting her whip away.
Tsukasa turned to Ryusui, Senku, and Gen as Sumi approached them. "He could provide the support you need." Everyone gasped as the man stood up. Tsukasa then looked towards the ground. "Joining the Kingdom of Science as a warrior would be a shameless act after my past sins. I obliterated countless statues, I hurt Sumi, all in the name of creating a world that would honor-"
"Dude, will you get over it?" Senku deadpanned towards him.
"Senku couldn't really care less about the past. He's onto the next," Ukyo gave a sheepish smile.
"Plus, Yuzuriha was able to repair all of those people anyway!" Taiju piped up from behind.
"He does care about one thing..." Tsukasa spoke as he looked up at Sumi and she flinched in realization. "The look on his face when I gave Sumi the scar...that's not something he could've faked or explain away as usual. I'm surprised he's as calm as he is right now regarding the incident..."
Senku's hand flinched a little bit while some people gasped such as Nikki or Ukyo since they didn't know until now. Ever since he did that to Sumi, he had wanted to lash out, or even take revenge, but...putting him on ice was honestly enough. And she had endured way worse than getting the scar anyway for him to even care about that anymore. So over time...he didn't know if it was because Tsukasa wasn't an enemy anymore or because he knew Sumi didn't really blame either of them for it, but...Senku was just over that now too. And he also knew that Sumi had forgiven Tsukasa as well, given how much she tried her hardest to save him despite everything.
"Yeah...but honestly, I don't give a crap about that anymore. Like I keep telling into that idiot brain of hers, I could care less what she looks like," Senku poked Sumi's forehead repeatedly.
"Take that finger off of me because I know you didn't just say what I think you said!" She yelled up at him in defense. He chuckled down at her as she gave him a big pout. "Every single god damn time, I swear it's like this is one of your favorite pasttimes or something..."
"What can I say? You bring me my daily entertainment," He gave a small shrug and she huffed. "Anyway, we can ruminate on that boring crap until we go bald later." Gen gave a small smile towards not just the two of them, but also Tsukasa. The mentalist could tell that Tsukasa could still feel the guilt despite what was told to him just now...but he had also never seen the strongest primate high-schooler like this before. When he met Tsukasa, he was confident, fearless, and driven to his goal. And now...it was like Gen was looking at a real person. "The fate of humanity is at stake now."
"What about you and Sumi, huh?" Suika ran up to the two. "Now I'm not trying to be rude, but since the thing is officially out of batteries, the cracks on your head and neck are never gonna go away. And Sumi will still have that scar." Everyone gasped while looking towards the two.
"Yeah, but I really couldn't give a rat's ass about that," Senku looked away, crossing his arms. "Sumi's still gonna be Sumi scar or not," He placed his hand on Suika's head.
"Language," The black-haired scientist warned him with a blank look and he simply scoffed. "I really appreciate your concern though, Suika," She gave the little girl a small smile, bending down to her. "That's really sweet of you, but I'll be okay, really. I couldn't care about it anymore."
Senku glanced down at her and chuckled, as she didn't seem to be that hung up about her looks at the moment. Which he was totally fine with, because it meant that she was slowly starting to get over it and just keep moving on with their goals.
"It'll be fine," Ryusui gave Suika a small smile. "We'll beat Why-Man and learn his secrets. The Dr. Stone will be on call at all times."
"Why are Senku and Mire-Chan the only stylish ones?" Gen couldn't help but ask, and they gasped as they saw him with paint in his hands. He had just repainted his old scar back onto his face. "No fair~! I want some war paint."
"Uh?" Senku and Sumi looked utterly confused staring at him. "What's the point of drawing them back on?"
"Isn't it better that you're fully regenerated?" Sumi blinked rapidly as she didn't see the point either.
"It's the perfect symbolism!" Gen smiled at the two of them. "Just think about it! The day that we all remove our war paint...will be the day that we triumph over the threat of petrification!" He revealed with a determined look. Everyone looked happy at this idea.
"Yeah!" Taiju screamed while holding the paint as well. "That looks cool! I'm doing it too!" However, he had three marks over his face, which looked nothing close to how he had them before.
"Uh, that isn't how yours looked, at all," Senku pointed out with a small sweatdrop.
"Yeah, they were kinda smaller than that, and I don't think they need to be that big..." Sumi smiled sheepishly while holding up a cloth to wash his face with. Soon, everyone had their marks back on, and Gen held out the paint to Tsukasa.
"Would you care to join in on some of the fun?" He placed the paint onto Tsukasa's hand. "Please don't tell me that you're the type to whine about unsightly blemishes on your pristine skin!" He had a devious look hopping around Tsukasa, who had a shadow over his eyes.
"Uhh, how could he refuse?"
"That would be pretty awkward..."
"Wow..." Senku deadpanned at this. Tsukasa gave a tiny smile.
"Thank you, Gen," He took the paint. "And everyone else..." Soon, he had his marks back on too.
"Yeah-ha-ha!" Taiju cried out happily. "The Kingdom of Science got Tsukasa!"
"Oh yeah! No matter who, what, when, or where the Why-Man is, the dude's going down!" Yo declared as everyone was excited. Senku then let out a chuckle, pointing up towards the sky.
"Next, we're attacking the moon! Get excited! It's us versus Why-Man. And to build our spaceship, we'll need stuff that's ten billion percent not here in Japan, guys. Meaning we'll have to collect our resources from all over the world!" He revealed to the group.
"That's right, you guys! This time, we're heading all around the Earth to get what we need. And it is not gonna be easy, but we can do it!" Sumi's eyes shined as she pumped her fists rapidly next to him. "Our first modern spaceship ever since 3,700 years ago! We'll kick your ass, Why-Man, and accomplish going to space while doing it!"
"A world exploration party?" Gen gave them an innocent look. Chrome popped up as his ears got bigger. "Shame that we don't have a pro explorer, huh?"
Chrome ran up and then pushed him away, causing the mentalist to yelp. "Do you even have the slightest idea who I am? You're talking to the King of Materials here! I'll search the world over to find all the rare resources we need!"
"You're also the reigning King of Simpletons, Chrome," Kohaku remarked as Suika giggled.
"I'm gonna do my best and help too!" The little girl declared happily.
"Then we're all agreed," Senku gave his signature smirk. "So let's get ready to set out!" He turned around as the crowd cheered behind them.
"To. The. Moon!" They chanted as Tsukasa put the paint down. He watched as the crowd left, leaving just him and Gen. He looked up ahead as Sumi talked excitedly to Senku, and he kissed her forehead in response. He gave a small smile as she gave a happier one towards him, his hands on his hips.
"Gen, you once betrayed me. And so did Sumi for that matter for having me think even for just a moment...she'd stay with me," Tsukasa finally spoke up, getting Gen's attention. "Hm. Looking back on how things played out, I thought my biggest mistake was reviving you and not imprisoning Sumi like I did with Chrome," He then looked down with a small smile on his face. "Not anymore, though. I'm glad that you're here, and that she can be happy with Senku now."
Gen gave a fond smile, not needing to respond. He may have sided with the Kingdom of Science over cola, but...without that, he wouldn't be here now with all his friends. And he wouldn't have technically gotten Senku and Sumi together—though the consequence he got for it almost wasn't worth it, he would admit...
"Well, you know, I can't do anything on my own," He said after a few minutes. "I simply make use of others' strengths, as any opportunist would."
"And individuals' achievements don't amount to much in the grand scheme," Francois walked up with a plate of uncooked dough for bread.
"Um, that coming from the butler who can do it all isn't that convincing!" Gen exclaimed at them as they were baking bread for the journey.
"What truly matters...is bringing the talents of many together," They took out a fresh tray of bread. Chrome and Suika had slight blushes over their faces admiring the smell.
"Smells bad, and in the absolute best way!" He fawned over it.
"We got a whole lot of long-lasting stollen bread!" The little girl exclaimed in excitement as Sumi came over. She bent down to the butler to whisper in their ear. Francois nodded with a small smile and the black-haired scientist took a loaf, handing it out to Suika.
"Here you go, Suika. Francois said you can have just one."
She gasped as she took it in her hands happily and had a bite, humming happily. "Hey, no fair, I want one!" Chrome whined and Sumi slapped his hand away.
"I said Suika, not you. So if you take one without asking, you lose that hand, kay?" She smiled sweetly and he yelped, backing away in fear.
"Why are you so savage...?" Chrome cried out to her.
"Our next voyage will be on a totally different scale," Ryusui informed from behind, holding bread dough to go into the oven. "This time, we won't be back for several months!"
Senku was carrying a bag towards the Perseus. "Do not skimp on the supplies," He warned everyone as Sumi walked up to him. "Fill the ship bow to stern, and make it snappy so we can weigh anchor!"
"Hey! I'll snap your damn neck!" Magma called out to him. He then kneeled in pain as Sumi had grabbed his neck with her whip.
"Like hell you well, because he already had to go through that once. So if you do it again, I will murder you!" Stars were in her eyes as she had a very pissed look on her face. Magma was shaking with white eyes looking at her as Kohaku gave a sheepish smile.
"You just had to threaten him in front of Sumi, didn't you...?"
"Relax," Senku placed a hand on Sumi's shoulder, but in turn, his arm fell towards the ramp because of the bag. "Ack! Don't focus on him, we have stuff to do, remember...?"
"Oh," She blinked while snapping out of it, remembering that she had walked up the ramp to help him. "Sorry about that!" She waved a hand with a smile, bending down to help him carry the bag up the rest of the way.
"Oh, I don't understand why we're in a rush to leave on another journey when we just got back home!" Ginro complained at having to do work.
"Because it'll be too cold to set sail once winter hits," Minami sweated a bit.
Suika, Yuzuriha, and Kaseki were in the lab. The sun was starting to set. "Senku wants us to whip up a model stat based off of this spaceship road map...?" She wondered while their hands were shaking looking at the papers Sumi drew up.
"This is a map? I gotta say, it looks different from what I'm used to," He confessed to her.
Senku smiled while standing at the entrance, holding up the papers rolled up. "Yeah, just bang out something that's 3D quick and dirty-like," He smirked devilishly and Sumi frowned a bit towards him.
"Don't say it like that, remember when Chrome and Kaseki made the water wheel without rest or sleep?" She then turned to the two with a small smile. "Just take your time with it and don't push your bodies too hard, okay?"
"Quick and dirty-like...?" Yuzuriha was still shaking. "What a concept. I'm starting to think Senku doesn't understand the mind of an artisan." Suika was shaking in fear as Yuzuriha and Kaseki were both surrounded in purple flames. "Or else he'd never suggest such a thing. Right, Kaseki?"
"He's not the first and he won't be the last. As much as I hate when people say stuff like that...I also love showing 'em what we're made of!" The two looked very excited with stars in their eyes, and Suika ran away in fear as they got to building.
"Senku, Sumi!" Suika cried out as she found them. They turned around and once she got to them, she planted her face onto their skirts. She then held the material with her fists, one per person.
"What's wrong, Suika? Who do I need to have a stern chat with?" Sumi for the third time today looked like she was ready to kill someone.
"Kaseki and Yuzuriha are building something and it got really scary!" She shouted, earning a small chuckle from Senku. He simply placed his hand on top of Suika's as Sumi gave a small smile towards her.
"I wouldn't worry about them. They're always like that when they're using their skills at ten billion percent."
"Yeah," Sumi hummed as she nodded in agreement. "I've seen Yuzuriha when she's in crafts mode, it's really nothing to be afraid of...okay, maybe a little," She looked away a bit sheepishly. "Because she's like a beast when she's like that, but you've seen me fight and you weren't scared then. And do you know why?"
"...Because I know that you try your hardest?" Suika blinked in confusion.
"Yup," Senku placed his hands on his hips. "So just use the same logic and then it won't have to feel like that for ya."
"It's not always easy to understand," Sumi smiled with her hands on her knees. "But someday you'll get it when you get older."
Suika beamed at their advice and nodded. "Okay! You know, you two act...just like we're family."
"Uh!" Both of them gasped at this and Sumi stood up in silence. Suika yelped in alarm as she said it on instinct. She didn't mean to make things awkward between the two since they hadn't really said much about their future.
"Ahh, I'm sorry! I take it back!"
"No, no," Sumi gave a happy smile while waving her hands. "It's not a bad thing, Suika. If you want to...think of us like that, then I personally don't mind. It's just...maybe don't say it too often, otherwise it's gonna be just people never letting up on it."
"If we look at it this way, it would be good practice if the relationship is gonna last as long as it has," Senku crossed his arms, giving a signature smirk as he bent down to Suika. "So Suika, we'll be adding you to this experimental relationship to test our parental skills if you're okay with that."
"Ahh!" Sumi's eyes went white as she opened her mouth in shock, slapping his arm. "Why'd you have to say it like that? You're gonna give her the wrong idea that we're just using her."
"We have to test things out as we go along, don't we? And you just said you didn't mind it, and I don't give a rat's ass either," He deadpanned towards her.
"LANGUAGE! If you're gonna accept this, do it right! You'd think that with a leek for a head, you'd have some common sense."
Suika blinked as the two started to argue again like old times. She then giggled happily that they didn't find it weird that she thought of them as parents. Because even though they were thousands of years old and looked like teenagers, she still felt like she could see them as a mother and father. And she did also look up to the two a lot like a child would with parents.
"We finished the spaceship road map!" Kaseki announced the next morning, as it was a huge dome near the Perseus. "Prepare to be blown away!"
"Always as fast as you are crafty, artisan team," Senku smirked as they walked up to it.
"Thank you, you guys!" Sumi smiled while clapping her hands.
"Hang on, the heck is that?" Magma asked in confusion.
"I take it the road map's inside?" Kinro wondered and they stepped inside. Senku and Sumi were taken aback as they were surrounded by stars.
"Whoa..."
"Bad."
"I'll say."
"It's the road map...for our rocket ship, huh?" Chrome murmured in a bit of awe as gears turned.
"That's...um...some map," Suika stated as the ceiling was covered in gears. But in front of them was a spinning map of the earth, with landmarks and cities marked on it already. Senku's eyes twitched at the sight while Sumi's eyes went small and white.
"Y-You did all this in one day...?" She muttered in disbelief and shock.
"It's like I drew a line and you pole-vaulted over it," Senku commented next to her.
"Whoo-hoo!" Kaseki exclaimed in excitement, his eyes shining just like Yuzuriha's.
"Building models is like my new obsession!" She gushed, Gen sweatdropping at her.
"Between all the puzzles and handy crafts you do, you seriously have a love for meticulous work using your hands," The mentalist commented towards her.
Ryusui popped up, snapping his fingers. "Well, her love paid off big time! This awesome visualization will help get everyone on the same page!"
Once Sumi got over her stupor, she smiled towards the crafts team. "Really incredible, you guys! Senku and I really appreciate all of the hard work you guys put into this! I love it, it reminds me of when I took Senku to the planetarium for his birthday once."
"Oh yeah!" Taiju smiled in realization.
Taiju guided Senku and once the blindfold was off, he saw Byukaya and Sumi in front of the building. Both of them had party hats as the man held a cake. The little girl had a beaming smile on her face waving her hands in excitement.
"Must be stirring up some more feelings since you're a couple, huh?" Ginro grinned while elbowing the two of them.
"It does nothing for me, you sleaze," Senku rolled his eyes and then glanced at her admiring the road map. Though a part of him would admit...that he did appreciate the gesture back then. The road map did remind him a little bit of that time, it was something he could admit to being a fond memory.
"Holy...! Are these things the cities?" Chrome wondered while reaching out to a landmark.
Ryusui slid over to him. "I want the giant robot one! I want them all!"
"The fire in those eyes could burn the sky or Sumi's hair off..." Gen muttered with a nervous looking smile.
"We'll be unearthing materials from across the globe," Senku started off as he watched Chrome and Ryusui. "So the few dozen members of the Perseus' modest crew ain't gonna cut it. The plan is to revive people wherever we go, and have those people inhabit the cities we establish!"
"The more people we have, the better. Reviving 7 billion people on our own would take the rest of our lives," Sumi smiled, hands on her hips. "So we'll need a bigger crew on the ship if we're gonna be gathering materials as we go, and to have a more stabilized Kingdom of Science down the line."
And they meant every single city too. "How extremely ambitious of you two!" Gen cried out to the duo.
"Ha! Thanks to Treasure Island, we have unlimited revival fluid at our fingertips!" Kohaku gave a pleased smile, clenching a fist. "It's not just a fantasy!"
"Meaning it's finally time to save all 7 billion people that got turned to stone!" Taiju exclaimed in realization.
"Yup, that's right," Senku revealed with a small smile. "Many hands make light work. To create our cities, we'll all dig, collect, and build together."
"This is it. The start of having modern civilization again," Sumi clenched a fist in front of her. "All of it to get to the moon and find our Why-Man!"
Gen threw a rocket ship paper plane and it soared up into the sky. "Then we'll jet off this planet!" Senku finished off, smirking as they were all outside now. Everyone looked pleased or excited by this news as they looked up towards the sky together.
"I am concerned about one thing..." Ukyo spoke up gravely, getting their attention. "Gen was troubled by a number regarding the limit of social groups, and we'll be reviving every soul we see along the way."
"150 people," Gen gave a knowing look. "It's Dunbar's number."
"We'll blast past that in no time flat!" Ukyo revealed, earning a few gasps.
"He's right!" Yo ran up to the front. "And there are bound to be plenty of bad guys mixed in with the people we save."
"Hm, valid concerns," Ryusui then spoke up. "But once we establish law and order in these new settlements, the people will accept it and things will stabilize fine."
Ukyo walked up to him. "The start is what's risky, though," He reminded the two of them.
"True," Tsukasa stepped up with a small smile on his face. "I can see why that worries you, Ukyo. But I doubt we'll have to deal with any rogue villains. Trust me." They all turned to him in confusion, since they could run into another him, or Hyoga for that matter.
"But, uh..."
Tsukasa had an innocent look on his face, not too different from one of Sumi's when she looked like she wanted to do something against her moral code. Meaning that he was gonna take care of it himself if necessary... "It'll be fine," He had a scary expression on his face now, some people looking terrified.
"Yeah, great point! It's all gonna be fine," One of his own men stated with a big anxious smile.
"Tsukasa's pretty famous overseas as well. And anybody who hasn't heard of him will learn soon enough," Minami commented nearby with small eyes.
"No joke. He is way too OP," Yo stated and Senku chuckled.
"Besides, Violet is Lillian's adopted daughter, so that should help too," He revealed and Minami gasped sharply. She wasn't there when it was revealed to Tsukasa's army, because she had already been captured at that point and was tied up elsewhere.
"Sumi is a Weinberg?!"
Sumi herself suddenly got flocked by a bunch of men, including Yo and Nikki. "Please sign my face!"
"What was it like living with Lillian?" Minami's eyes shined at her.
"Also, someone's got a pet name, huh?" Nikki nudged the black-haired scientist.
"Everyone please calm down!" She hung her head in disbelief as Senku looked on with crossed arms.
"You guys do know her mom bit the dust, so it's not like it's relevant anymore, right?" He deadpanned as Sumi walked over dusting herself off.
"You just had to tell them..."
"We'll search and navigate the planet heading eastward," Senku announced as Ryusui placed a model onto the road map. He laughed while moving it across to another landmark.
"Good! Across Pacific voyage straight out of the gate!"
"Geez, water everywhere!" Ginro looked terrified for his life thinking about how far that was for them.
"Just how far are we sailing?" Kinro adjusted his glasses, a bit put off as well.
"We'll be like Colombus searching for the next continent," Ryusui gave a small smile. "Whoever manages to spot land first...will get a prize of 100 thousand drago!" He held up the money above his head, earning cheers from the crowd...except for Tsukasa, as he was on immediate alert staring at them.
"A prize...of drago...?"
Minami screamed and then popped up behind Ryusui waving her arms in a panic. "Not drago! He meant d-doraemon!" He then pushed the captain out of the dome. "Be nice if we could build a time-traveling robot, huh?"
Later that night, Minami and Gen had pulled him inside into the golden pagoda. "Ryusui, you'd better listen! Tsukasa and you are like water and oil. Keep your distance for all your sakes. Honestly, Senku and Sumi are like that too, and it's a wonder those two get along sometimes."
Gen let out a small sigh. "Ryusui was a privileged heir in the old world, and it's certainly shaped his behavior..."
"Tsukasa hates people who are drowning in money," Minami warned the captain. "For the record, I was prepared to not like you either..." She faltered as she saw that Ryusui had a small smile on his face. She dropped her finger, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "But...I'll be the first to admit, you aren't as bad as the rumors painted you."
"Ha ha," He cupped her chin, causing her to look up at him. "It's useless, that you may hate me with every fiber in your being. That won't keep me from loving you." She gave a flabbergasted look at him. "I love all women, you see, so that includes you! And Mimi as well, even though I know she and Senku are a couple that I support." Gen gave a nervous sound as part of his robe came off. "And men! I want everyone! Everyone...Tsukasa too."
"You can't just control people with your money, Ryusui."
"Money's nothing but a handy tool made for and by humans," He told the two of them. "Its purpose isn't to control people. It exists to bring desires together. It allows humanity to pool all our strength. And when we unite like that, we're at our most powerful. Am I wrong? It's kinda why Sumi and Senku make the perfect team: because when united, there's nothing that can stop those two from their goals!"
Tsukasa had been listening the entire time and gave a small smile. Ryusui then pumped a fist towards the sky. "We're human kind! The science we create when we focus and combine forces can get us anywhere we imagine! Even a place as far as the moon!" He had a triumphant smirk on his face, as he knew that they would be able to do it.
"As Violet and I were saying," Senku started off inside of the dome. He smirked while picking his ear. "All of humanity is due for a little wake-up call. So we'll need a ton of alcohol. A metric shit-ton, to be precise."
"Oh right!" Yuzuriha blinked in realization as to why. "The revival fluid is just an alcoholic nitric acid mix."
"Yup, 70 percent alcohol, remember?" Sumi smiled while holding up a finger. "So the amount that we have right now ain't gonna cut it. We don't have time to make all of that though, so we need a more plentiful source to make the amount necessary."
"We're waking a mountain range of people this time," Kohaku pointed out while crossing her arms. "I'd ask if we're growing potatoes or grapes to produce the wine. But I highly doubt that either one would meet our needs."
"Ten billion points!" Senku exclaimed as he and Sumi reached out to spin the globe together. "So the place we re-establish first..." The two stopped the globe in unison. "Will be the city of corn! Which means it's gonna be in the good ol' USA!"
"Corn...?" Suika murmured in confusion.
"That's why we're rushing," Minami suddenly spoke as she realized why Senku and Sumi wanted them to leave ASAP. "Okay. If we don't get there before winter, all the crops will die."
"Gonna save some of that corn for grillin', yeah?" Taiju asked with a big smile.
"We'll harvest enough for food and fluid," Senku gave a small smirk. "It's called yellow dent, by the way. The US prided itself on this ridiculously productive cultivar. Pump out some alcohol with this stuff and boom, actually reviving 7 billion won't seem like such a pipe dream."
"It's not as sweet as hybrid sweet corn, but it'll do its job. Plus we can use the corn to feed our livestock on the boat," Sumi smiled a little. "That way we can save on other vegetables since we'll be having a bigger crew than last time."
"And we don't have to sweat about starving because that grilled corn will keep us from going hungry!" Taiju exclaimed with a big smile.
"You just really wanna eat some grilled corn, don't you?" Sumi asked him knowingly since he had mentioned it twice now. He flinched at being caught, chuckling sheepishly and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Two birds, one stone for growing our population, right?" Chrome stepped up with a small grin.
Gen gave a small chuckle. "Remember our grand deception, Chrome and Sumiku? The one that required the use of a glass record?"
"Awww!" Sumi flinched as Minami gushed nearby with her hands clasped.
"You're a dead man if you say that in public again," Sumi gave Gen an innocent smile and he let out a nervous screech.
"Get to the point mentalist," Senku gave a slightly annoyed look, ignoring both women.
"Anyway, we told a lie that I said would send us straight to hell. For we claimed the United States was up and running. Before our one-way trip to the unknown world, let's make that lie a bonafide truth, with our own hands and power."
Sumi and Senku gave him a small smile. "Sure."
"I know we'll do it...because who else would?" Sumi placed a hand on her hip, giggling happily. "I'm not sure if we'll have every single last person revived before that happens...but we can at least try."
And so, the Perseus set off again, people waving to the Humanity Development team. "And we're off!" Senku announced to everyone. "Onto our global city-building tour!"
"To get our corn and revive every single last person we come across!" Sumi clenched a fist as Kohaku was standing on the mast. They stared at everyone back at the island, smiles on some of their faces. This time, Minami and Tsukasa were coming along as well.
"So bad!" Chrome suddenly exclaimed with his arms crossed. "I don't think I've ever been this stoked in my life! I'm on my way...to see the entire world!"
"Ha!" Kohaku glanced back at the two leaders. "We're taking our first real step on the road map to the moon!"
Senku chuckled, his bangs flying around. "Yeah, it's happening..."
Sumi glanced towards him in realization, a small smile on her face. Both of them could just imagine their past selves, back before they met. "We're going to outer space!" The four selves said in unison, the two younger ones pointing up to the sky. And now, after thousands of years, that dream would become a reality. Senku gave a small smirk. "As soon as possible!"
He then took a hold of Sumi's hand. "And I get to do it all with Violet, heh heh. Feels so long ago that you heard me say that back before we even met."
She blinked and then gave a big smile. "It does, huh? I didn't think it'd take this long either, but we'll test our limits and get there before we know it!"
"This is exhilarating. Get excited!" The two stated in unison.
(Angel: This is the warning of sexual content. So last chance to click away, guys! If you don't wanna read or you just don't like it, stop reading now.)
Sumi was in the mobile lab, mixing together more cures for seasickness. With a bigger crew, it was bound to happen again at some point. And she couldn't just not prepare for that, not after what happened the first time they set sail. She held the Devil's Trumpet and placed it into the chemistry set-up in front of her. The door opened and she didn't even need to look to see who it was. "Working hard, huh?" Senku wondered as he stepped inside.
"Well, we need to prepare for the worst of the worst if necessary, right?" She gave a small smile while looking over her shoulder.
"It's pretty late, Violet," He pointed out and she gave a small scoff.
"Relax, I'll take a nap later. My sleeping habits aren't nearly as bad as they were from the start of it all."
"Ten billion points to you," He smirked while closing his eyes. "Always used to test your stamina until I came along, huh? Ha!"
She hummed in amusement with a small smile. "Yeah...it's been so long I almost can't remember when I'd never be able to sleep. Because I had my mom, my friends...and you."
"Again with that sentimental stuff. Always being the sweetheart, huh?" He stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. Her eyes widened as his hands caressed her sides. "Remember our discussion about trying more intimacy?"
"W-Well...yeah," She stammered nervously and he stared at the back of her head.
"We have time. We might as well start that experiment, not like we can avoid it. Especially when your hormones go crazy seeing people nude. We should start getting that practice in."
She flinched as her cheeks were red at him mentioning her...nudity sensitivity. "T-They do not," She grumbled as she gave a small pout, and he moved his hand away. "You know damn well I haven't reacted like that lately..."
"Ha ha, yeah, sure," He then gave her a serious look, remembering all of the rage he had seeing Ibara...he gritted his teeth a bit at the reminder. He didn't want to address this, but he had to since it might cross her mind. "...Are you absolutely sure your answer hasn't changed? We both know I wouldn't do anything that'll make you uncomfortable. I'd get why if you wanna wait, the damn bastard really affected you."
She squeezed her eyes shut, thinking of Ibara's rough and unwanted hands as she shook a little. Of course she would think about it. But...she also knew that Senku was someone she could trust, despite everything. The woman let out a deep breath, slowly turning around to face him. "I...I don't care about him anymore," She finally spoke up, grabbing his fabric with her fists as she hid her face into his chest. He blinked while staring down at her. "All that really matters is that...we trust each other, right? So...I know I'm in good hands w-with you..."
He stared at her for a few seconds and then his eyes softened a bit. "...Okay," He reached out slowly to touch her shoulders, slowly moving his hands down her clothing. "If you want me to stop, just tell me. Above or under? Which one do you want?"
Sumi's cheeks turned a dusty red from his touch, already getting a little embarrassed even though she probably shouldn't be. "I-it doesn't matter..." She murmured into his clothes and let him continue, shivering a bit.
"What?" He moved his hands away as he looked down at her.
"It's nothing!" She exclaimed while gripping his fabric tighter. "You can keep going..."
His hand then reached her waist, and he signaled for her to move by tapping the table behind them. Sumi moved back and slowly heaved herself up onto the table, her eyes squeezed shut. "Violet. Look at me."
She slowly opened her eyes as he continued caressing her waist. "You'll be fine. You can say stop whenever you want. There's nothing to be so flustered about, dummy."
"Oh, I haven't heard that one in a w-" She gasped as his hand gently reached her breast and she then whimpered, feeling really shy as he massaged it over her clothes. She already knew a long time ago that Senku couldn't care less about her appearance or anything like that. Still, the fact that she was doing this with someone she never thought she'd have this with... Her face got red again and he noticed.
"You're getting that red already? I'm not even doing it with your top off," He examined her face.
"Not that..." Her fingers gripped onto the table anxiously. "It's just...a bit nerve-wracking a-and...I've never done this before. Intentionally, that is."
"Hm..." He closed his eyes, resting his chin on her shoulder. "So that's what it is, huh? Heh, heh. Not sure if that was a good time to tell me. Yeah, we both know I don't do stuff like this usually, but..." Her eyes went wide as she felt his hand slip under her top, caressing her stomach. Then he reached her chest.
"Mm!" She let out a shaky grunt as he gently pressed and squeezed. Her cheeks got even warmer from the feeling of his soft hand. He pressed his body closer to her, watching her reactions.
"As your partner...if you're still wanting to go through with something like this...then I can't just ignore it, can I?" He moved down the sleeve of her right shoulder with his free hand, kissing against her slightly bare collarbone. He lingered there as her hand was trembling.
"Y-You didn't have to do this for me..." She stammered, letting out a breath. "I-I mean...it's been over a year, so it would've been better to-"
"Wait? Yeah, we could've," He then leaned in towards her ear. "But we didn't. You think I didn't consider this part of the experiment we've been doing for that long?" He muttered and she opened her eyes.
"I've known you the longest out of anyone, I know it crossed your mind at some point dating me," She let out a small sigh. "But still...this is just all so new to me...and I'm still getting used to your hands."
Senku pulled away and she stared at him, her breath hitched as her face was still red. She thought that for a second, she might've hurt his feelings...but she knew him too well for that to be the case. His hand went elsewhere and she let out a sharp gasp as he was feeling up her thighs with his hands gently.
"That's what trial and error is for, Violet. Until you get used to me. Like how you haven't adjusted to being any sense of nude in front of me, even though I've seen parts of you too many times," He pointed out and she let out a shocked sound.
"I-I've let you see me-" She then stopped as she felt his hands go up further her thighs, his fingers gliding across her outfit. "Mm!" She flinched a bit, not because it was uncomfortable, but because she wasn't expecting him to do that. There was an aching feeling throbbing between her legs. "T-the point is, you've already seen me practically naked before like at the lake!"
"Oh yeah," He blinked at the memory, chuckling down at her. "Good point. Something changed in you, didn't it?"
"So what...?" She turned away in a bit of embarrassment.
He chuckled again a bit lower, in close proximity of his lover while examining her face. "Sounds like you're sensitive to me."
"I-I am not..." Sumi denied in a small whine while letting out a shiver.
"Then why are you aroused right now? Your blood's currently flowing to your sexual organs, and I can see it plain as day. You and I both know we're not ten billion percent clueless on this kind of stuff," He continued caressing her and she bit her lip, looking into his eyes with her cheeks really warm. Senku took a few moments to stare at her. "I won't submit myself to horny sensations like you," He reached out to her nipple again to pinch it and she let out a quiet yelp.
"You think I don't know that...!" She hissed out, letting out another squeak as he slipped his hand inside her underwear to feel her.
"Someone's wet," He teased and she let out a soft sound. He began rubbing her wet spot gently, letting out his signature chuckle. "Too bad I'm not getting inside of you anytime soon. Not without proper protection. Maybe depending on how this goes, I'll take care of preparation of that."
Sumi's face got even deeper of what would happen if it was possible right now. "T-That's...fine," She mustered out to him, gripping the table tighter while squirming from his touch. "I-I know that you wouldn't want to head into that right away."
"Ten billion points to you," He smirked while taking note of her reaction. "I have no intention of pregnancy unless we're both in agreement, if we even last."
He might've been teasing with that last part, she didn't know. All she knew right now was that, whatever came next for them, she would be ready. Plus...she at least knew that Senku wasn't willing for them to fail, otherwise they wouldn't be here now. Her eyelids were heavy as she looked into his eyes, seeing that his cheeks were a bit flushed doing this to her.
"C-Can I...try something?" She whispered and he nodded sharply. She reached out a shaking hand as she started caressing him this time. Sumi bit her lower lip as she settled on his clothed groin, to his shock.
"Are your hormones getting that high already?" He chuckled in disbelief.
"You're the one who asked me to even do this," She reminded with a small pout.
"Yeah, that's true. Good luck getting much of a reaction out of me, though," He looked away, his cheeks getting a bit darker.
"Says the one who's snuck peeks at me all the time, even before this all started," She gave a small snicker; he told her once that he would sometimes look at her when she didn't notice or was focused on other things. That was because he figured to get it out in the open instead of being dodgy with the subject. Senku gave a slightly annoyed look and then tugged her body forward, causing a yelp. He picked her up to toss her onto the workshop table behind them. She let out a gasp as he towered over her, in between her legs now.
"Don't think I can't hold myself together, Violet," He leaned in closer to her, his forehead pressed against hers, her heart racing as she looked into his eyes. "You wanna see real intimacy?" He then moved his hips forward and the movement caused her to let out a shriek. She arched her back as he pulled up her top to show her bra. He removed it from her and he quickly went ahead with putting her nipple into his mouth. He looked up at her while teething and sucking on it.
"Ah! S-Senku!" She squirmed as her head tilted back. "Y-You didn't need to catch me off guard like that!" He didn't let up, however, chuckling into her skin.
"Is this why horny guys get so excited? Like that sleazebag Ginro? At least all those guys from Tsukasa's Empire can never do this to you. A man of science for the win," He looked up at her and she yelped again from his mouth. This was nothing like how Ibara did it...and it wasn't horrifying at all. Maybe because it was Senku that...she wasn't even thinking about Ibara anymore at this point. Because all she could see was the love of her life doing this to her.
"Y-You're just making that stupid phone call from Why-Man much worse...!" She breathed out, letting out a soft whimper.
"Heh. If I recall, that didn't affect you too much because you trust me too damn much. Huh, so it's not even just about who does it. Your nipples are sensitive and you like what I'm doing," He pointed out and she rested her cheek against the table, panting out breathlessly. Her wet spot got even wetter now.
"S-Shut up...!" She whined a little at him.
"You know," He breathed heavily into her chest. "I might not give a damn about your alluring appearance, Violet...but right now, I can't honestly say I don't see why you're like a magnet to almost every man in this stone world. And I've said so myself that you're the definition of cute or adorable, you fit the criteria. Which was why...even with that scar you hated so much...that you were selected for the beauty contest back on Treasure Island."
She looked back at him with a dusty blush over her face, wondering if he just...genuinely complimented her looks. And it was probably the closest anyone was gonna get out of him. "Sen..." She murmured softly with a small smile. It was the first time she could admit that...she liked her scar. Because it was something that didn't faze him anymore. He flicked his tongue across her nipple and her thighs clenched with him in between. She felt something pressing up against them, blinking in surprise. "Wait," She chuckled breathlessly in realization. "Ishigami Senku, are you actually-"
"Heh, yup," He shrugged a bit. "Apparently it's working as far as I care. So what are you settling for? Fingers, traditional, or-"
"Oh, don't keep going," Her face turned red from the question, a hand over her face. "If it-it's an experiment, shouldn't we try anything?"
"Hell yeah we can," He grinned and held her cheek, moving it gently so she could look at him. "Come on, it's not over yet and you need to relax a little more. Loosen your legs. And don't forget, this is all on your own terms."
She did so as she took a deep breath. "Y-You can keep going...it's not as bad...when I'm with you."
"Heh," He smirked and leaned down to kiss her. She closed her eyes as she kissed back. He moved and he grinded against her gently. His lips parted as his tongue gently poked her scar, asking for permission.
"Oh, and you say my hormones are high," She smirked a little while pulling away. "What was that, huh?"
"You seem to enjoy that kind of level, so that's what I thought you wanted, heh heh heh. That's what happens when you know someone for over 3,700 years," He poked her forehead. "And has experience in the relationship to know what you want."
"You weren't wrong," She let out a small giggle. "Knowing me that long told you that, huh? Even though you didn't know I loved you that long."
"It's all about your dirty mind," He remarked as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pouting. "Not to mention it makes sense you'd want every part of me since it took that long of me being a dumbass to even get this far."
Sumi let out a small chuckle, and then they shared another kiss. Her tongue swirled into his, her bare upper body pressed up against his clothing. She didn't want this to stop as he continued to grind against her. She muffled her moans into his lips, so no one would hear much if they happened to be awake. She was really wet as it ached, but she didn't mind it at all now. And then she realized that the door was not locked, and it was enough to snap her out of this. Despite her not wanting to stop this at all, her cheeks got even warmer.
She let out a pant as she pulled away, a string of saliva between them. "Sen!" She cried out as he was trailing down her stomach with kisses. She bit her lip happily as she arched a little, but that wasn't supposed to be her focus.
"What?" He asked while he was moving down her skirt.
"Hold on!" She protested, placing a hand on top of his hair. "D-Don't get me wrong, I still want to, but the door's unlocked. Someone could come in, m-maybe that's enough for tonight?"
"Are you-"
A knock was then heard and their eyes widened as they were both pale now. "Sumiku~ I know that you two are working late, but Chrome is looking for you two. Said he had some suggestions for the ship he wants to share with you," It was Gen and Sumi leaned her head back in horror looking at the door. Before she could say anything, Senku placed his hand over her mouth, looking completely calm as usual.
"Don't open the door. Coming," The green-haired scientist called out and got off of Sumi. She sat up and quickly dashed to hide underneath the table, her face red as she scrambled to fix her clothing. She looked over the table and grabbed her bra quickly.
"Shit, shit, shit," She hissed frantically and Senku turned around to the table. He shushed her as she started to slide the undergarment on. Senku glanced back at her to make sure she wasn't able to be seen and then opened the door. He made sure to stand right directly in front of the woman underneath the table so Gen wouldn't see her.
"Hm? Mire-Chan's not here? I could've sworn she was with you as usual," Gen gave a sly smile, hands in his sleeves.
"We don't stick to each other 24/7 like lovestruck idiots," Senku rolled his eyes. As Sumi was getting the bra on, she lifted her head up to see if she was getting it back in place, and accidentally hit her head. She covered her mouth with wide eyes to hide the slight pain. Senku heard it though, and his eyes widened. Gen hummed suspiciously as he watched the scientist clear his throat. "Aw damn, something must've tipped over. Anyway, tell 'im we'll be there soon."
"Alright~" Gen smiled a bit and then turned around. "Oh, and you might wanna be careful with your equipment, Senku. Wouldn't want things to go too far, would we?" He gave a small smirk as he walked off as he had a feeling something was going on, but wasn't going to push it...for now.
Once Sumi heard Gen's footsteps get farther away, she sighed quietly in relief. That would've been humiliating if Gen had decided to check out what the noise was. Senku then silently closed the door, turning around. His back hit the door as she crawled out of hiding, both of them relieved. They looked to each other and the reminder of earlier hit them both. The two turned away from each other with heat in their cheeks as Sumi felt like butterflies were in her stomach.
"A-are you okay?" Senku finally stammered out and she glanced over to him.
"Oh! Yeah, I'm okay...hit my head trying to put my bra back on," She rubbed the top of her head. "Ow. It's nothing to worry about, though."
"Good. You could've given us away, dummy."
"I didn't thanks to you," She remarked back teasingly and stood up onto her feet, adjusting her clothes. She then realized something as she looked down at her thighs, eyes wide as she couldn't actually leave just yet. Sumi then let out an awkward cough. "I'll...meet you outside."
"Why?" He raised a brow.
"I...need to change my underwear," She admitted and he blinked. The two fell into silence and then let out a few chuckles seconds later.
"Well, at least the experiment was a success. Don't take too long, Violet. And there'll be more of it since we're in for the long haul," He opened the door, leaving her shocked. She then smiled happily as he closed it.
She knew he was joking earlier.