Constant Variable (Senku x Reader)

9: Let There Be the Light of Science

You winced as she landed with a "thud" and just laid there, unmoving, and you felt bad for her, knowing exactly what it was like since you were in the same shoes just a few hours ago. At the thought of your near death, you shuddered at having to go through their hellish experience again but at least now that with more people, it wouldn't be as bad or so you tell yourself.

"Asagiri Gen," Your gaze shifted over to said person when you heard Senku calling his name, tilting your head to one side as you wondered what the scientist could possibly want from the other male. "How are Taiju and Yuzuriha doing?"

You perked up with interest upon hearing the names of your other friends and walked over to the duo out of curiosity.

Gen let out a pitiful whimper before replying, "Oh, I see. You thought you could get me to fess up while I'm busting my ass. You have guts, pulling tricks like that on a mentalist."

There was a moment of silence as Gen stopped his pumping while Senku stared at his back with a small frown, his face lacking his usual cocky expression. You, on the other hand, remained silent as your gaze jumped back and forth between the two, a feeling of uneasiness rising in you.

Then, Gen continued. "Don't worry, though. Taiju-chan's got an especially bottomless supply of strength. You know, don't you, Senku-chan?"

At his last sentence, Gen finally revealed his true self as he turned to Senku with a spine-chilling grin on his face, light blue eyes darkening with a manic glint. At that moment, you felt your entire freezing up, unable to move a single muscle as the familiar feeling of fear that you had felt when in Tsukasa's presence returned, your flight instincts screaming for you to run, to run as far as you could until you felt safe again.

Feeling the need to seek comfort, you shuffled closer until you were hidden behind the scientist's frame. Senku, who noticed your discomfort when he felt your stiff body pressing up against his, sought your hand out and intertwined both your fingers, running his thumb soothingly over the back of your hand in a silent act of comfort.

A fond smile tugged at the corners of your lips at the gesture and you squeezed the teen's hand to show your gratefulness.

"He's definitely with the long-haired man." Kohaku, who overheard what the mentalist said, ran over with one of her daggers and asked, "Should I kill him?"

"Hold it, idiot," Senku replied before shifting his attention to Gen with a small smirk. "Asagiri Gen. You ten billion percent knew I was trying to make you talk. Why did you suddenly decide to admit that you're with Tsukasa?"

Gen didn't reply straight away with his back facing the green-haired scientist. Then, he turned around; light blue eyes glancing at you for a second which you felt, causing your body to stiffen with tenseness.

Although, you relaxed again when Senku tightened his arms around you, noticing your discomfort and you were thankful that he was still holding onto you despite having calmed down.

The burning stare left just as quickly as it had appeared, and you released a small sigh of relief. The frightening grin from before was replaced with one of mystery as the mentalist said, "The tides have turned now that I've seen this."

Gen didn't say anything more after that and everyone returned to the original task at hand, but there was tension in the air that lasted throughout the rest of the evening and into the following morning.

***

Thanks to the extra helping hands and working non-stopped throughout the whole night, the iron sands were finally melted and all eyes were trained on the scientist as he removed the pot filled with hot liquid and poured it into a wood mold for it to set.