#dcst angst

[junosmindpalace]

His head aches directing his eyes toward the doorway, but Senku does anyway to get a glimpse at your figure.

Your fierce expression tells him you refuse to get any closer, as if punishment for the suffering he subjected himself on the dock of the Perseus just a few hours ago. Senku had caught a glimpse of you at the far back of the crowd when the crew had rushed him in from further ambush.

He remembers pain, a lot of it, Luna tending to him, and various members coming both to check on his condition and to receive instruction and advice. He’s found himself with a rare moment of true quiet and space for himself. Until you appeared, that was;

Angrier than he ever expected to see, yet he immediately knows why. The realization makes a frown settle over his own features, and he doesn’t dare break away from your tense gaze.

You strode towards him suddenly, hand slowly coming up in the air as if to punch him, tell him off with a disapproving finger, do something to express your fear and anger toward him for his stunt. All he did was stare with his mouth firmly planted in a deep frown, not wavering in his expression for a second even when you stopped suddenly by his side, keeping your hand in the air and staring at him with a fury hardly being kept in check. His stare almost challenged you to try and retort against the sacrifice he made, and oh how it made you wanna—

But then you sighed. Stepped back. Lowered your arm back to your side. Your brows creased upward in distress, and, oh, no, was your bottom lip quivering?

“You’re an asshole.”

“Well, isn’t that a pleasant way to greet a friend?”

“You shut up with that, I thought you—“

You halted your words, turning your back toward him as horrified eyes stared forward in an attempt to steel yourself. A hand ran down your face, stopping at your mouth. What a horrifying sight that was. Not even a sign of warning.

“C’mon,” he wheezed out with a slight upward curl of his lip. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

Yet the silence his remark was met with brought his lips back to a frown, a more melancholic expression. He called out your name and was met with nothing.

“I braced myself: what more could I have done?”

And you know he’s right. He’s being realistic. You have no right lashing out so aggressively toward him. If anything, you should be praising his bravery, his sharp thinking, his ability to still uphold witty banter with you in the state he’s in. But you can’t. Not when your racing heart hasn’t settled it’s violent thrumming against your ribcage, bruising it and your mental sanity, since the shot rang out. Not since you saw the blood spill out of him. Not since you saw the intense look of pain on his face.

So for now, you hate him for it. For all of it. Even though it wasn’t his fault. He anticipated it at least, so you hate him for it.

He calls for you again.

And finally, you look over your shoulder, eyes glassy and expression fierce. The sight makes Senku want to shiver.

“I did…what needed to be done…” he starts gently. “It’s up to you guys now. And I’ll help where I can.”

Ever the efficient one, that Senku. How it could infuriate you like nothing else. You would think him made of steel at times with the way seemingly nothing fazed him. But with the way you saw his blood pour out from him so quickly, the anguish on his face, it reminded you that he was more human than anyone you’ve ever met. So passionate, so full of life. Nearly childlike in the way he winced as every uncomfortable stir and breath he in and exhaled.

The tension in your face dropped. Senku’s own expression perked up, but mostly stayed firm as you approached him tiredly, pulling up the chair by his bed and taking a seat, hands hesitating as they reached for his.

He stared down at the space in between them, and then back at you just in time for you to raise your own exhausted gaze toward him. Don’t you dare push me away, they pleaded with him.

A little knock of his knuckles against yours gave you the permission you were looking for, and your carefully took his limp hand in both of yours, holding them gently. He chuckled a little as he stared upward, while your gaze remained steady on the bed, and offered a small squeeze in return, which in turn relaxed the tension in your shoulders.

Things were okay between you two. Things would be okay. The sentiment didn’t need to be voiced aloud.

[kynizen]

☆ drst hcs ~ in denial

prompt. him being heavily in denial about his feelings for you and if/when he’d finally realize it. split into three sections — him & you (how & why the denial starts) + him & co. (another character’s reaction to his denial) + feelings realization. gender neutral reader.

ft. hyoga, tsukasa, & ukyo

warning. spoilers for most recent eps. ahead , angst

a/n — I think this concept is fun! less characters bc there’s 3 sections per character! enjoy this fun little game of denial! also, i will say that hyoga’s characterization is largely based on his later manga appearances! there are no spoilers, but you don’t get to see a lot of good hyoga until the manga <//3 anyway! enjoy!

☁️ hyoga akatsuki ;;

him & you ~ how it starts

• Given his nature, Hyoga would be in denial for quite some time before ever realizing that he actually likes you. After all, in his mission to build a world where only the strong and proper are revived, is there really any room for romance?

• The answer, of course, happens to be yes, even if he didn’t mean to fall for you.

• Usually, Hyoga would view kindness as yours as limiting and weak. How can anyone survive in a battle of survival of the fittest if they refuse to be ruthless?

• However… your kindness does something to him. He’s used to being treated with respect, reverence, or fear. Experiencing genuine kindness from you— kindness from one person to another— is an entirely new experience. He’s never been treated with warmth and smiles without an ulterior motive.

• Pacifist or not, your kindness is only further enhanced by your other skills. Witnessing you in your element further grows Hyoga’s affection for you. Your warmth got his eyes on you, and your skills kept him watching.

• But… surely he’s only watching you because you’re a proper ally, right? He’s merely surprised by how capable you turned out to be behind that soft heart. That’s why you’ve caught his attention.

• Hyoga treats you noticeably kinder than others. Even when he’s around people he respects— like Homura or Tsukasa— he maintains distance. With you, he’s a little warmer— more willing to entail conversation he’d see as nonsensical otherwise.

• On top of that, Hyoga is adamant on keeping you away from trouble. When he starts to suspect Gen’s loyalty, he tries his best to keep you far from the mentalist. What if Gen pulled you to the other side? How would he keep you safe then?

• He keeps trying to reason with himself that he merely feels this way because you’re a proper ally, and it’d be a shame to lose skills like yours. He’ll ignore his fluttering heart and the smiles behind his mask if it means keeping you at a distance and never admitting how he feels.

• Because if he admits it and he loses you, he’s certain he’ll risk becoming much weaker. And that’s not something he can afford.

him & co. ~ another character’s reaction — asagiri gen

• Hyoga, though he acts subtle about his favoritism toward you, isn't as discreet as he likely thought he was. Then again, it’s hard to hide things from a mentalist, even if Hyoga wears a mask.

• Gen notices a change in Hyoga’s demeanor a few weeks after you’re revived. Before you were around, Hyoga would make himself scarce— training in solitude— if no one needed him or he had no duties for the day.

• Beforehand, Tsukasa and Homura were the only people Hyoga gave the time of day. He’d hardly ever entertain conversation with another soul unless absolutely necessary. All to say, he was something of a lone wolf.

• Then, you’re revived. And suddenly, Gen sees a lot more of Hyoga around and hears him talking a lot more than he used to.

• Hyoga still trains, but he makes it a point to idle around and wait for you to also be free before walking off with you so you can keep him company while he trains.

• You’re the only one Hyoga actively talks with, and from what Gen has overheard, it’s hardly a business talk. Your conversation topics with Hyoga always include life, family, and who Hyoga is. Surprisingly, Hyoga doesn’t brush you off— diligently answering your questions and even asking some of his own.

• Gen also notices that when Hyoga isn’t around, you’re also notably absent. Gen once thought it was you clinging to Hyoga… but soon realizes it’s quite the opposite. Actually, he overheard Hyoga asking to be assigned to the same work with you when he’s able, or he merely finishes his own duties before seeking you out.

• Gen is quick to realize what it is. However, when he musters up the courage to ask Hyoga about it, he’s not shocked to hear the man vehemently deny it— going as far as calling it foolish and weak.

• However, Gen notices the way his shoulders relax, the way his brow unfurrows, and the smiles Hyoga tries to hide when you’re mentioned. Gen notices the way Hyoga straightens up a bit and softens around the edges when he’s with you.

• Gen knows for a fact that Hyoga is smitten with you. Now… whether or not he’d ever come to admit that is a whole new question. He’s so deep in denial and in his own worldview that he’s almost certain Hyoga would deny it until the day he dies.

• Well… not that it matters to Gen. If he can leverage Hyoga’s crush against him, then he will. Maybe then Hyoga would actually admit that he doesn’t just see you as a normal ally.

feelings realization ~ finally. . .

• After his betrayal against Tsukasa and the Kingdom of Science, Hyoga believes he’ll only feel regret that he didn’t best Senku. However… as time passes while he’s locked up, he feels more regret that he betrayed you and your trust.

• He doesn’t remember how everyone else reacted to his betrayal, but he does remember the hurt and disappointment on your face. In that moment, in fully losing, he felt like he lost something more than his ideal world— the person he wanted to share that world with.

• Hyoga fully suspects you to want nothing to do with him or Homura ever again. He suspects that he’s lost you forever— that he’ll never feel your warmth again. And the mere thought makes his heart hurt.

• In that moment, when he’s locked up and questioning why he cares so much, he finally comes to the realization that he wouldn’t care if you were just a proper ally in his eyes. He wouldn’t care so much unless he cared about you deeply.

• Part of him is disappointed— part of him blames you for bringing out a weakness in him. Surely, that weakness is the reason he lost. But… then you start visiting him.

• It starts with you bringing his food on a daily basis. Then, you bring your own food and stick around to eat with him. You engage Homura in conversation, and soon enough, him, too.

• Hyoga warms up to you all over again. You’re stronger than he ever was. He wants to call you stupid for being so willing to forgive him even though he was your enemy. However, he knows that you’ve fully considered the weight of your decision and still chose forgiveness anyway.

• He knows he could never be that way— which is why he has to admire that trait in you. Sure, perhaps kindness can be a foolish weakness… but that kindness of yours allowed you to give him a second chance.

• In its own way, that’s quite proper, isn’t it?

• Either way, he can’t help but accept that, yes. He loves you more than anything. And if there isn’t a place for romance in the Stone World, he’ll just have to carve one out himself.

• All he hopes is that, one day, you’ll be able to love him just as much. Though, he’d be unable to blame you for feeling otherwise. It’d be foolish for him to engage in such wishful thinking without facing reality.

• But… he certainly does love you. And that won’t change for a long time.

☁️ tsukasa shishio ;;

him & you ~ how it starts

• When his attention first falls on you, Tsukasa assumes it’s because you’re especially pure-hearted. You’re someone his sister would’ve loved. After all, what else could it possibly be?

• He isn’t fully sure when that viewpoint changes. All he knows is that you change from someone his sister would’ve loved to someone he wishes could’ve met her. You become someone he knows he likes to be around, and he isn’t sure why.

• He vehemently denies that it could be love because, well, it was that same emotion that was Senku, Taiju, and Yuzuriha’s downfall. Senku’s care for his friend and knowing that Taiju loved Yuzuriha is precisely why he was able to best them.

• Emotions like that were sure to become a weakness, and he’d never let that happen, so it couldn’t be that. It’s precisely why he’s never searched for Mirai. Because even if she couldn’t be revived, he couldn’t bear to see her statue come to harm.

• So what he feels for you couldn’t be that. The desire to be in your presence— the desire to confide in you and spend quiet moments with you— it isn’t love. Admiration, perhaps? Maybe friendship? With each passing day he becomes more uncertain of the answer.

• What he does know is that he makes it a point to check in on you quite a bit. He revived you for your skills and kindness… but each time he meets you it’s never about anything related to the Empire.

• Your conversations with him are notably familiar. They’re never about work like with the others he talks with. When he approaches you, he does so to check in on your well-being— to ask if there’s anything you feel you’re lacking.

• You’re the only one he walks along the beach quietly with, reminiscing about his sister and his past. Tsukasa feels inclined to tell you things he hasn’t told another.

• But it isn’t love. When he tells you about himself— hoping to show you the reasons behind his morals— it isn’t love. When he’s had a rough day plagued with regrets and he seeks you out— that isn’t love.

• Because if it is, he’s certain you’d never be happy with where his morals align. He’s certain that you hide how troubled you are beneath a kind smile.

• If he falls for you, he knows it’d kill him that you’d never agree to be by his side. So he refuses— he can’t. He’ll call the extra kindness he shows you, the leniency he takes with you, anything but what it likely is if it means saving himself the weakness that comes with that warmth.

him & co. ~ another character’s reaction — yuzuriha & taiju

• While Tsukasa is relatively good about being subtle about how he feels about you, the person that notices it first is Yuzuriha, followed closely by Taiju.

• When he’s around you, Taiju recognizes the initial upstanding guy he thought Tsukasa was. He sees no hint of hostility or distrust that he’d seen in him before. All he sees is kindness. Tsukasa never regards you with anything but a smile, and it’s enough for Taiju to firmly believe that, yeah, Tsukasa is a good guy— probably just on the wrong path.

• It’s entirely different for Yuzuriha. The reason she recognizes Tsukasa’s fondness for you so quickly is because she recognizes the way the man looks at you. It’s the same way Taiju looks at her. Fondness, warmth, love— an unspoken desire to be by someone’s side no matter what may happen.

• They both see that… but they also hear how Tsukasa talks about you. He has nothing but good things to say. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t agree with Tsukasa’s morals, he’s never expressed anything but understanding. And if someone dares disrespect you, he’s quick to shut it down.

• However, they also hear him insist that you’re just a friend— someone pure-hearted that needs to be protected. Taiju mentions to Yuzuriha that he feels like Tsukasa looks a little sad when he calls you just a friend. She sees it, too.

• When he thinks you aren’t looking, the two notice that Tsukasa’s eyes always seem to drift to you. He always has a faraway look in his eyes. Then, they see his eyes glimmer a bit with hope when you happen to catch his gaze.

• Truth be told, it makes both Taiju and Yuzuriha a little sad. If Tsukasa was honest with himself— if he wasn’t so adamant on his ways— then there’d be nothing stopping him from being happy with you. Tsukasa’s biggest obstacle is himself.

• They hope that if they eventually beat Tsukasa in this war… maybe then he’ll allow himself to be happy with you. Maybe he’ll be allowed a happy ending with you.

• Because at the end of the day, Tsukasa is a good guy, isn’t he?

feelings realization ~ finally. . .

• Tsukasa finally realizes that he loves you when it’s a little too late. He finally realizes it… but his time with you gets cut terribly short.

• At the end of the war against the Kingdom of Science, you remain by his side. You share his excitement in reviving Mirai, and you never blame him for anything that happened. You stayed by him despite everything— despite all the fighting.

• The moment he realizes that you being there is just… natural to him, he accepts that he loves you dearly. You’d stay beside him through thick and thin, you’d be an amazing role model to Mirai, and your kindness knows no end.

• He loves you and wants to protect you. If the entirety of humanity is going to be revived, he’ll protect your pure heart from any corrupt adults himself. He wants to stay by your side and love you at your best and your worst as you did for him. He wants to be your support— a quiet and safe place to retreat to.

• He just… wants to be someone that deserves the kindness you’ve shown him. He wants to be worthy of the warm love you’ve always shown. He loves you and wants to treat you in the way you deserve.

• But… his happiness is short-lived. When Mirai is revived, he tells her about his affection for you. He tells her he wants to confess— but then Hyoga fatally wounds him.

• Tsukasa realizes it’d be selfish to ask you to wait for him. When Senku chooses to freeze him, they both have no clue when he’ll be able to come back— if he’ll ever come back. Tsukasa doesn’t want you to wait for him— for the slim chance he’ll return.

• It’s then that Tsukasa decides to take it with him to the grave. If he happens to revive… if Senku somehow finds a way to petrify him… then he’ll tell you. If you still haven’t found anyone by the time he returns, he makes a promise to himself, and to Mirai, that he'll finally tell you how he feels.

• Before he’s frozen, you make a promise to him in a hushed whisper that you’ll watch over Mirai for him— that you know he’ll return one day and that you’ll be patiently waiting for him to come home.

• In those final moments before cold sleep, Tsukasa’s heart feels reassured. He should’ve realized— you’d wait for him regardless of what he said.

• Now… he just hopes he’ll be able to awaken and meet you again— to love you as you deserve.

☁️ ukyo saionji ;;

him & you ~ how it starts

• Ukyo recognizes your kindness almost immediately after you’re revived and become acclimated into the Tsukasa Empire. It’s hard for him not to stick by your side— relieved that he isn’t the only one who doesn’t agree with Tsukasa’s ideology and feels some guilt toward being unable to do a thing about it.

• Being around you so much leads him to start recognizing things beyond just an alignment of morals. You’re truly kind and caring— extending that same warmth to Tsukasa and even Hyoga. You reason that they must have their own experiences that led to having such ideals— that it isn’t an excuse not to care for them.

• You have the same idea as Ukyo for different reasons. You won’t leave the Tsukasa Empire not for reasons involving power or which side might win. It’s merely because you care for the people you revived with— you care for him.

• Ukyo wants to protect that kindness— wants to keep a war from happening in hopes that it’ll save you from ever looking sad over a lost friend. But… it isn’t love.

• No, Ukyo is certain that it’s merely a desire to protect you. After all, the world needs more people like you, so he can’t risk you getting in harm’s way. That’s it. It’s nothing beyond a desire to protect, right?

• And yet, you’re the only one that Ukyo has gotten close to in the Tsukasa Empire. He keeps everyone else at a professional distance, refusing to disclose anything about himself. When he’s with you, it seems much easier to open up. He doesn’t feel like he has to hide.

• You’re the only person he goes out of his way to check in on. When he knows you had an especially busy day or had a lot on your plate, he’ll seek you out immediately when he’s relieved of his duties. He’ll comfort you when you need it and keep you company when you desire it.

• However, he refuses to call it anything but friendship. Even if he wants to be closer to you— wants to soothe the fluttering in his heart— he can’t. Because Ukyo is continuously questioning his loyalty to Tsukasa.

• If he said anything, he’s certain you’d be used against him. If you happened to want to turncoat and leave, he knows he’d be used against you. That’s the last thing he wants.

• Because if a war is waged against the Kingdom of Science, Ukyo wants to be certain that you won’t come to harm. And something like love would become a glaring weakness— one that could be fatal.

• And this world needs more people like you.

him & co. ~ another character’s reaction — ishigami senku

• When Ukyo first defects to the Kingdom of Science, Senku immediately notices a level of hesitance for him— as if something is still holding him back. Considering how adamant Ukyo is that absolutely no one dies, Senku assumes that it isn’t just fueled by his morals.

• Then, Gen mentions seeing you and Ukyo together a while ago— and Senku can immediately tell that you’re the reason he’s so adamant on a peaceful end.

• At first, Senku assumes that maybe you’re a really good friend, perhaps a sibling? However, when he’s able to hear more from Taiju and Yuzuriha’s perspective, he can immediately tell it’s romantic, even if Ukyo himself is in denial about that fact.

• In all honesty, he isn’t one to care for romance himself, but he does care about the happiness of others. He can tell Ukyo’s seriously anxious about something happening to you— and though Senku is absolutely certain he won’t let anyone die, he knows that love can be a little illogical.

• Besides, you have your own assets that Senku could utilize. If you have the trust of a man like Ukyo, he’s certain it’s because you’re a good person. He isn’t one to push anyone into confessing— he never did with Taiju— but he will do his best to accommodate, even if he sees it as senseless.

• Because Senku does know what it’s like to lose someone— what it’s like to worry and to not want to be alone. If your presence makes Ukyo a little more confident, so be it. That’s why he’s the one who suggests looping you in and bringing you to their side.

• Hearing and later seeing how comfortable Ukyo is with you by his side is enough to confirm without a doubt that Ukyo loves you. Senku remembers seeding Ukyo when he’s serious— when he’s in the zone. It’s the complete opposite of what the man is like with you.

• With you, Ukyo is softer and much more laid back— more himself, if anything. And frankly, Senku thinks it’s illogical for Ukyo to keep hiding how he feels when it’s clear you feel the same.

• Then again, he won’t push. He’s certain Ukyo will want to make a move himself. He has faith it’ll happen one day, and Ukyo will be better for it.

feelings realization ~ finally. . .

• Given how adamant Ukyo is on protecting you, it isn’t exactly shocking that he’s the one who ends up hurt during the final battle of the war against the Tsukasa Empire.

• What does shock him is just how much it affects you. Of course, you’re kindhearted and have a loving personality— but he didn’t expect you to show so much concern for him in particular. However, the moment he gets injured, you put yourself at risk to get him to safety— spending time patching his wounds before running back to the battle.

• Your bravery paired with the care and consideration you show— add on top of that his neat brush with death— all of it causes him to truly accept that he loves you. He loves you and he doesn’t want to lose you— he doesn’t want to regret the things he never said.

• When the dust finally settles— when Tsukasa is defeated, Hyoga imprisoned, and the Kingdom of Science reigns victorious— he decides to tell you how he honestly feels.

• Because you’re sure to face dangers in the future— ones he might not be there for. There may come a time where he gets hurt or otherwise incapacitated again and he won’t be able to protect you like he wants. All he wants is to be certain that, no matter what you face, you know that he loves you and is supporting you whether he’s there physically or not.

• Of course, he hesitates a bit at first. But when he starts his confession speech and hears your heart quicken— hears the way your breath hitches a bit— he knows it’s mutual and he becomes far more confident in his words.

• Finally, he can accept that he’s always loved you— that there’s no longer a reason to deny it any longer. While he knows there might come a time in the future where someone could use your love against him… he thinks the risk is worth the reward.

• Because in no world are you Ukyo’s weakness. You’re his biggest strength— and you make him strive to be better. And he’s certain that if someone tried to use you two against each other, you and him would find a way to come out on top.

tags.

[coldember]

EXCITING NEWS !

I will be writing smau on the anime dr. stone i just finished watching it and it is so good, i’m excited for season three next year !!

[nari-kami]

Have you ever wondered how petrification scars work in the dcst magical girl/boy AU?

The crystals are the magic users weak poin. If stuck with a powerful enough attack the crystal will crack and the users body will "crack" with it, leaving behind a scar and even other permanent physical damage on occasion.

[str4ngr]

Can I order a number 4 angst prompt with Tsukasa from Dr.stone please?

the lack of you.

s. tsukasa. | my drug, my addiction.

cw: angst, canon divergent, nerdy-ish/craft-y, gn! reader. wc: 547. notes: order up. not proofread.

Often times, humans easily become used to the presence of others. Like second nature, if someone lingered, you may not notice unless it's unusual.

That's how Tsukasa came to know you as a classmate, a viewer, a friend, and maybe something more. But this was no longer after-class help with homework. When Tsukasa came by your petrified body, covered in vine and flora the beautifully decorated your figure, he was merciless when he destroyed your figure.

⋆

Sitting beside such an intimidating person was hard, especially when Tsukasa was as attractive as he was. You were a model student—excellent grades, perfect attendance, skilled in crafts, and highly regarded by your teachers. Tsukasa, on the other hand, did not fit this mold, though not by choice. Rumor had it he was a professional MMA fighter, which intrigued you

Tsukasa wasn't rough or callous—at least, not to you. In your eyes, he spoke softly, carefully watching as you explained a math problem to him. In your eyes, his lips twitched into a soft smile as he talked about his sister. In your eyes, he was a gentle man.

You were helplessly attracted to him, offering help with his homework, watching the almost theatrical performances of his matches. Truly helpless.

But he wasn't the same anymore.

When you were revived, it was by a girl with a sweet smile and a horn like headband. She introduced herself as Yuzuriha, and asked you to join her and her friends, apparently aware of your interest in crafts, "to defeat Tsukasa."

...'defeat'?

Your face immediately twisted in confusion. You knew Tsukasa Shishio. You knew he would never do this. At least you wanted to believe that. The air in your lungs turned into a boulder as Yuzuriha brought you to a faraway cave, showing you the shattered-- no, obliterated remains of people. Innocent people.

Tsukasa did this?

The same Tsukasa who told you about how much his baby sister loved mermaids? How he wanted to make a seashell necklace for her? The one who shied when he got a math question wrong?

Shishio did this?

It was unimaginable. A man so powerful abusing his strength for what? It couldn't be his sister, someone could have been a doctor, a nurse, a researcher to help her. Coming to a conclusion was impossible. Your heart shattered, just like those statues,

"He did the same to you,"

Yuzuriha's gentle voice echoed within the cold walls of the cavern. Your hands shook, and tears streamed from your eyes as pathetic sobs filled the silence of pity between the two of you.

⋆

Tsukasa missed you dearly. His hand struggled to swing with the same viciousness since the day your statue was broken. He sat at his throne, staring mindlessly as those he brought back to life worked around him.

To him, you were gone—irreparably gone. Destroyed. Dead. To you, he was a goner. A man changed. A killer. Though neither were completely accurate assumption, both of you felt a hole begin to bloom in your hearts. The emptiness beginning to form as the idea of each other changed. You were no longer, and he was no longer him.

Maybe, just maybe, if the green flash never glimmered through the afternoon sky that day, things would be different.

[raisdaluz]

spoilers for the america arc ahead!

[sakvvra]

SenHaku Week 2024

Day 2

Prompt: Amnesia

Summary:

In a freak incident while exploring the caves, Senku goes missing and returns two days later bloodied, injured, and missing his memories.

TW: Suicide Mention, Miscarriage, Angst/Comfort.

@senhaku-week

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

“Did he really lose his memories…”

“He certainly did… testing positive.. retro… amnesia…”

Apparently, Ishigami Senku, renowned and revolutionary scientist who “brought back the modern world” had a little cave accident and landed straight on his head.

He was labeled missing by co-worker Asagiri Gen who, when interviewed and questioned, answered profusely. ‘I knew it was right to put in the missing person’s eport-ray! There was never a time when he wasn't at his lab for more than two hours!’

Turns out Ishigami is a complete dumbass, instead of relying on professionals to go and dig out whatever needed material he wanted. He decided to grab the ores by himself. The day he was found, a few workers in the same cave were questioned and pointed out that he arrived at the west side of the cave at 6:24 A.M and reported that none of them had seen him exit.

When they never saw him resurface through their end— and also because the west cave and the east side are connected, they assumed that he exited through the east way simply because it was designed to be a proper and safer way to navigate incase of emergency.

At 8:04 A.M Gen filed the report, and before the time reached 10 everybody close to Senku or working with him was aware of his sudden disappearance.

When the worker’s found out about him vanishing, they knew he was trapped inside the cave when they questioned the east side and they never recalled seeing him exit. Experienced miners were requested to search the mine and traveled 100 meters deep that day, but they came back with no results.

The second day they increased their efforts and went 300 meters deep, this time aided with a man named Shishio Tsukasa incase of any emergencies. This search was unsuccessful as well.

At 7:12 P.M the same day however, Ishigami Senku somehow reaches the east mine entrance alone, limping on his left foot with a fractured ankle and heavy bleeding and trauma to his head. He was escorted by medics that were told to be onsite in an ambulance and was taken immediately into surgery. When told to resurface, Tsukasa and the others decided to follow the blood splotches on the ground and traced it from nearly 400 meters deep. They soon found that it ended at the bottom of a high drop that was usually surrounded by light.

How he fell, made it out, or even survived was a question that lingered even two weeks after the whole freak accident. Even now as he works in his lab, performing his only regulated 30 minutes of work. The words of his colleagues were more focused on him rather than the work.

He…

I felt required to use the word He.

He, Ishigami Senku, is me.

And yet I have nothing resembling him other than his attitude and brains.

At least that’s what– my mind draws at another blank, the guy told me his name already, so why can’t I remember it?

C-Cra… Ca… Cray?

“I saw these from the coast and I came running! Because that’s what I do!”

Loud is what comes to mind, I wince at the foggy memory and my head throbs.

“Hey! My name is…”

Chrome.

… That’s what Chrome told me.

A loud ringing sound came from the small alarm on my desk, I shut it off and attempted to ignore the increase of whispers and stares undoubtedly talking about me.

This means my thirty minutes are up. So I pack my things and swing my bag over my shoulder.

Eyes linger on me until I exit the building. It took nearly two hours and a half to memorize the whole institution without someone immediately recognizing who I was and offered to help.

If that wasn’t long enough, spending a whole week in a hospital recovering felt like torture. And I spent the whole next one persuading Dr. Xeno I could actually function properly without a guide.

“We can’t risk you injuring yourself again.” The man folded his arms, he of course, naturally had a stern look on his face. It fit him perfectly. “You’re lucky I won’t put you on suicide watch.”

I wasn’t sure if Ishigami Senku was planning to kill himself, he should know of all people on this planet not to explore as deep as he did alone. Of all things.

The smartest man in the world made a mistake so inexperienced and reckless the man closest to him in his workplace wanted to put him in suicide watch– despite me having lost all motives or memories on why he would commit such an act.

“I want to do this because you need surveillance. If I do, you’ll be monitored by Kohaku. She’s especially worried about you.”

Kohaku. No birth surname. She’s that blond woman with piercing cerulean-blue eyes and a fierce smile. She was introduced to me as chief of the police force, nothing more.

When she first laid eyes on me hours after I woke up, she couldn’t stop fiddling with the silver ring on her fourth finger resting on her left hand no matter how hard-nosed and rigid she tried making her face seem. It was awkward, but it was seemingly easy to ignore.

Entering the police station was much less overstimulating than the laboratory. They were still staring at me, but they at least tried to make it less obvious.

My eyes are drawn to the woman leaning on the front desk talking to the other woman behind it.

“I mean… basically yeah! I haven’t told him yet, however, I…”

Blonde tied-up hair, lean stature, boisterous voice.

That was definitely her.

I find my feet stuck to the ground, a lump grows in my throat and my head throbs unlike the ones before.

“Agh, fuck…” I groan lowly and grip my forehead, a ringing fills my head and I felt as if I was going to pass out if it didn’t stop soon.

I could see the receptionist point towards me in shock and Kohaku whips her head and rushes to my side.

“Senku!”

Damn… the ringing pitches and at this point the only thing keeping me upwards was her grip around my waist. She takes hold of my shoulder with her other hand and now I could feel the eyes of everyone looking at me.

It was another tinnitus attack and what feels like the worst cluster headache in my life.

After a while it feels as if I'm walking on air, I have no idea where she was directing me as I’d closed my eyes a while ago due to the light spiking my headache.

“My meds.” I wheeze out once I feel that I'm sitting down on something.

“Right!”

When she removes the bag from my shoulder and I hear the rustling sounds of her looking through it I groan and clutch at the side of my head. Hoping she’ll be a little bit faster.

“Got it!”

She dropped a pill and water bottle in my hand and instantaneously I swallowed both. A shudder leaves me along with another wince and Kohaku grips my knee and shoulder comfortably.

“It should fade soon…” She murmurs softly, I let out a shaky exhale, praying that it does.

And it did.

She’s silent throughout it all, slowly rubbing my shoulder. The stinging in my eyes, pressure in my ears, the piercing high-pitched ringing— all of it eventually faded away. So does my headache, but it takes a while longer and slowly disperses with one last pulse against my forehead.

I slowly open my eyes and… back to normal. I blink a couple of times just in case and soon I huff in disbelief. “Well… fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck.” Kohaku chuckles lightly. “Welcome to the modern world.”

I look at the surroundings around me and figure out pretty fast that she took me to the park close to the police station. No eyes to stare at me worryingly, no hurried whispers between colleagues when I enter a room— none of that.

Just birds tweeting and the sounds of cicadas chirping.

“Is this what it feels to be at peace?” I utter purely out of incredulity, a stupid statement to make, I doubt Senku would ever say something that silly. Maybe I just want to hear her laugh again.

She stares at me with widened eyes before she bursts into small giggles. I swallowed and felt my chest clench.

Heart palpitations?

“I guess you could say that… pffft!” She giggles again, her face is softly flushed a pinkish-red and she’s doing a terrible job at staying professional.

When she settles down, she lets out a breathy sigh and the woody park is silent again. There are no kids here as school’s currently active, however as it’s friday undoubtedly the park would fill up when classes are over.

I find myself gazing at her in the corner of my eye. She'd removed her touch on my knee and shoulder but it still lingers like a phantom.

“I used to go to this park a lot a year back.” She finally speaks, way lower than her previous tone. “I stopped going when It got easier to cope.”

Even an idiot could tell she was talking about death, something I narrowly avoided myself. I silently debate if I should poke further before opening my mouth to speak. “Mind if I ask what happened?”

Kohaku's breath hitches at the question, her eyes flickering from the playset and towards me. She reacts to that harder than I expected and I can’t even mutter a word before she speaks.

“Senku… last year I had a miscarriage.”

Oh.

Oh fuck…

Her teary eyes desperately search in my eyes and I can tell that she's just praying that her husband would come back and just tell her it’s okay.

But I'm not him, and I'm not sure when I'll even be him again.

“K-Kohaku, I’m sorry…” Is all I could say.

Pathetic.

She whimpers as she finds that her efforts are for naught, so she sharply turns her head away and fiddles with the silver ring in her lap again.

The initials on it read: I.K

Ishigami Kohaku. No birth surname, of course she has no maiden name because she’s married to me.

More so, Ishigami Senku.

This resolution makes me nauseous. I swallow harshly and look away, quickly squeezing my eyes shut.

Forget, forget, forget.

Why would he try killing himself and he was married to someone as beautiful as her?

Kohaku takes in a huge gasp of air and claps her hands together. The sound makes me snap to look at her just to find out that she’s now standing up with a bright grin on her face.

Her eyes are red… I made her cry… I note unconsciously and I regret it as I can't seem to hide the guilt on my face when she stares at me again and her smile falters slightly.

“Okay!” She shouts into the air, her sudden boisterous energy makes me stiff. “Today, I will make it my goal that Ishigami Senku WILL smile!”

…Huh?

I stagger as she takes my hand and yanks me up. “What are you…!”

“Cmon!” She grins, leading me out the park with a pep in her step. “We’re gonna have fun today!”

Fun? “We aren’t children!” I shout after and nearly trip over my own feet as she picks up the pace. “S-Slow down!”

“Being an adult has never stopped me from having fun! That’s one thing you should keep in mind!”

Kohaku snorts and giggles when I trip on my feet again, she playfully rolls her eyes and scoffs. Before I knew it, she’s carrying me up in her arms and starts racing down the sidewalk as if it were nothing.

What the fuck? The air is knocked out of my lungs as she barrels around the corner.

“Pfffwahaha!” Finally she bursts into full-blown laughter at what I can only assume was my face as we both bundle down the street. The feeling of the wind hitting my face makes my chest pound— was it heart palpitations? No.

This was exciting. I couldn’t stop the smile from growing on my face whatsoever. Kohaku notices it when she hears me laughing alongside her and starts giggling twice as loud.

She takes me to a movie theater, then a music hall, and lastly a crowded skating rink.

At this point it’s already 10 P.M and they both are way past their curfew, so she offers to walk me to my temporary dorm room.

“Oh my god!” She snorts, I could feel my face tinge red with embarrassment. “You absolutely suck at ice skating!”

This is the fourth time tonight she’s bringing this up!

“Oh, lay off!” I huff jokingly and Kohaku genuinely looks hurt, my breath hitches.

Soon however, she snickers and my shoulders untense. “Oh you softie, you totally fell for it.”

“Yeah well! I haven’t–!”

I went to quip back, but the moment we turned the corner we reached my apartment. It’s silent as we walk towards the building, if only the day was longer. That way they could both talk and laugh for longer. She follows up the steps yet stops half-way when I make it to the top and smiles.

“Well, that was fun.” I turn to look back at her and smile back warmly. “You got me to smile, too.”

I see her shoulders tense and I immediately worry if I said something. “Shit. Did I do something wrong? I know I'm not him– I mean, I am him, but I don’t think like him. I lost my memories because I decided to do something fucking stupid and leave you alone and–!”

“You knew?”

My rambles are cut short by her voice. Instantly my throat closes up and I’m left to wonder what she means.

“Knew what?”

Her eyes are watery but no tears spill. “That we’re married.”

It’s silent for a while and her cerulean eyes are piercing as she stares into my eyes. I nod softly, not quite trusting my voice underneath her gaze.

“When did you learn that?”

I pause for a second, thinking carefully of which words to use then finally speaking. “When I first saw you, you couldn’t stop messing around with your ring and at first, I couldn't clearly read the initials. When you did it again at the park today, that's when I was able to read it clearly.”

Kohaku hissed in some air, and I winced at the reaction, obviously that wasn't a good thing for me to remember.

“Dr. Xeno’s is going to merk me.”

“Huh? Why?” The panic in my tone was abundant, but she smiled and shook her head. Kohaku sighed a little, waving off my worry.

“He already told me to take the ring of the day we met again. He was concerned it would create a not-so positive reaction.”

“Buuuut.” She grows a grin again. “It’s alright. You didn’t have a panic attack or fade off into space. So he’ll be chill for the most part. Maybe. Hopefully.”

This time, the silence that drifts between us is comforting, but obviously it can’t stay like this and eventually she claps and breaks the pause.

“Welp! It was fun!” She giggles and my mouth goes dry, the idea of her going home alone twists my heart. “Goodnight!”

“Goodnight…” I leave her off with a smile and waves her off– because the thought of her leaving with the impression that she failed trying to make me happy made me restless.

Ishigami Senku is coming back– it doesn’t matter if he wants to, or not.

[iwillfightformydream]

Jasper looks so much like Senku’s dad, Ishigami Byakuya.

Senku while he didn’t physically paused he probably mentally paused when he saw jasper for the first time.

[novice-comics]

How about some angst with Child! Stanley taking his first life and Xeno comforting him?

[indigosabyss]

Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week!!

I'm doing three fics and maybe a podfic if i manage to clear my throat up before the end of the week.

First is A(r)ro(w) Force: A Gwen Poole and Nadia Van Dyne teamup on the WCA reality show. Deals with the worries of being on the aromantic spectrum, and trying to understand what subcategory you fit in. I've already posted that.

Next will be the second chapter of You're Ten Billion Percent Not Alone: A Dr. Stone QPR SenGen fic. Main themes of aro community and the joy that comes with it. I will post it some time this week.

Last is going to be We're All Aro Here, A Bloom Into You fic of Doujima realizing that the entire student council except him is somewhat arospec. It's about aro acceptance, from the angle of people who know nothing about the proper terminology and understand what they're feeling. I haven't posted it yet, but will update with the link. Might write bits of this live on my twitch, if you're interested.

Here's the link to my youtube channel in case I do post my podfic for You've Got A Face For Radio, an aroace alastor character study on ao3 by ckret2.

[junosmindpalace]

fluff ✩ || angst ☾

BYAKUYA ISHIGAMI

relationship headcanons ✩

RYUSUI NANAMI

constantly rejected ✩ ☾ boyfriend headcanons ✩

SAI NANAMI

fluff alphabet ✩

platonic!autistic reader headcanons ✩

SAIONJI UKYO

to show that i care ✩

SENKU ISHIGAMI

birthday ✩

body image ✩ ☾

cave exposition ✩

chemical wound ✩

confession ✩

doubtful ✩ ☾

fluff alphabet ✩

hanahaki: pt. 1, pt. 2, alternate ending ☾

herbalist ✩ ☾

i wanna know: pt. 1, pt. 2. ✩

like an old villain ✩

lock on ✩ ☾

not really rivals ✩

paparazzi ✩

something different ✩

stargazing ✩

stone day ✩

the scientist ☾

under the weather ✩ ☾

visiting a science museum ✩

VARIOUS

body swap ✩

hair ✩

overworked s.o ☾ ✩

s.o prone to headaches and dizzy spells ✩

astronomy s.o ✩

protective after s.o gets injured ☾ ✩

with a s.o who self-harms ☾ ✩

copycat headcanons ✩

sleeping headcanons ✩

travel headcanons ✩

angry s.o headcanons ✩

sick s.o headcanons ✩

[dio-florian]

What I write!

I write mostly fanfiction based on anime, manga, games, etc. I also write one-shots.

Smut😼

I write smut, but not publishing them mostly because I need work on my writing n' stuff.

Fluff😽

Fluff is my favorite, mostly because I like having characters that normally side happy (or just seeing happiness in general).

Angst😿

I like Angst but I don't read it often. However I can do it, I can make the most depressing angsty story/one-shot (within the capacity of my little brain) because of all the anime/stuff I watch!

Headcanons🗿🎆

I like Headcanons, I always try my best to keep it canon as possible. I won't write that Senku will kiss you daily, because that's not within canon... He'll give you YEARLY kisses, monthly if you're lucky😽

This concludes my post, see ya' again!

Edit: my dumbass forgot to add fandoms and other shit🗿

Fandoms(+characters)🪭🧱

I'll write for any fandom/show/anime/etc, but if the topic itself like anime is weird, like if it involves Loli or just straight up weird, I will not write (or I will change canon/rewrite)

As for characters, I'll write them too, but if they're weird as a person, no....

(No!!!!! if the angels take me from this earth, I would tell them bring me back to her!!!!🧑🏾‍🎤)

I'm sorry.

Introductions! (original post)

[aminastarowo458]

TW/Blood

Senku was shock what Sarah(My AU Dcst Oc) Is Hypocrite and maniac...

but then he heard Why-Man voice his eyes pupils are gone and Senku scream and turned into Dark Form himself

"My my my~...Senku my friend don't you think you can defeat me without your friend or partners...if I killed YOUR beloved Lioness I would be happy"

"...What did you have...DONE!!!"

she laughed and she said

"Try to Attack me Ishigami Senku..."

(OH btw should I Edit/Draw Dark form Senku? and it's my AU don't kick me plz =w=)

[damconcha]

the absolute angst fest that is Senku the mentee and Dr Xeno the mentor is so insane actually. Like dcst mangaka you’ve hurt me beyond recovery

[nari-kami]

Day 1 of sengentober2023

„Telescope”

"Do not enter" is written on the doorway

Why can't everyone just go away?

Except you, you can stay

[stonesparrow]

Dcst Hunger Games AU pt. 1

Senku and Taiju have grown up alongside each other in the impoverished agricultural district of Panem, and for three years they’ve been lucky enough to escape the annual reaping for tributes to send to the Hunger Games. But Senku knows that even if the odds are in your favor, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. Luckily, he has a plan for that.

Taiju Oki will live.

Note: Senku’s portrayed as a closeted trans boy in this and he does get misgendered/presents as his AGAB to people that don’t know him. Also, warning for Hunger Games levels of angst and violence.

District 3 is a Career District in this one instead of District 4 because I made Kohaku be from District 4 but I didn’t want her to be a Career :P

Read on ao3!

“Well, there we go,” Senku says, wiping his hands on the dirt and oil soaked rag hanging from his belt as he steps away from the tractor. “It should work just fine now.”

“Oh thank goodness,” Natri sighs, brushing the gray hairs off his brow. “I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to meet quota for the fall harvest without it.”

He pays Senku, but when the teenager tallies up the bills, he frowns. “Hey old man, this is more than we agreed upon.”

 Natri claps a hand on Senku’s shoulder. “You and your father do so much for everyone,” he says solemnly. “Honest mechanics are hard to come by, you know. The money is well deserved.”

Senku thrusts the extra cash at him. “You have your daughter and her husband and their four children. I’ve just got my dad, you know that. It’s not logical to tip so much when your family needs it more.”

Natri pushes his hand back. “If you hadn’t fixed the tractor, we would pay eight times that tip in fees to the Capitol for failing to meet quota. And then what would we do?” He crosses his arms. “You can use that money to buy better tools for the workshop to keep everything running—that’ll help us all far more than a measly extra loaf of bread on the table.”

Senku scowls. “Fine.” He pockets the money and hops on his bike for the journey home.

As he rolls past fields of corn and potatoes and squash, the frustration in Senku’s stomach simmers. District 11 grows enough food to feed the entire nation of Panem, and yet if they don’t meet the harvest quota every season it’s their citizens that suffer the pangs of hunger and weakness of malnutrition. Starving in a sea of food, all because of some fuckwads with blue skin and glittery eyebrows hundreds of miles away.

He gets home and parks his bike outside the garage as he does every evening. His dad stops humming and slides out from under a truck he’s working on.

“How’d it go?”

“Pretty straightforward,” Senku reports, putting his tool bag down. “Old Nat gave me a tip, said to invest it back into the shop.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“Too nice,” Senku mutters. “How does he hope to feed three adults and four kids like that?”

“Sometimes you need those little moments of kindness to prove to yourself that you’re still human,” Byakuya says nonchalantly as he returns to working on the truck. 

Senku has no answer for that, so he heads inside to make them some dinner. Two seed rolls, some corn gruel, and hastily thrown together vegetables, same as yesterday. 

As the Ishigamis eat in the dimming light of the sun, Senku tries not to think about the bags of tesserae grain in Taiju’s house. 

One more little slip of paper for every year and every ration of rough brown grain and oil for Taiju and his grandparents. His name will be in the reaping balls sixteen times this year to Senku’s four.

The math is actually in both boys’ favor. There are families like the Rayes, with so many more mouths to feed and so often failing to meet quota that they claim tesserae ten times over. There are kids who claim more tesserae than is needed for their own families, to sell the extra at a lower price to those without any reaping-age children, especially the old folks. 

When taking that into account, sixteen out of hundreds of thousands of entries in the boys’ bowl and four out of just as many in the girls’ seems like a drop of water in an ocean.

But Senku’s not the sort to put faith in random chance. Even if they make it out this year, there’s always the next, for three more years. And when Taiju is eighteen he’ll have twenty-eight, and Senku will only have seven. 

“You’re thinking about it again, aren’t you?”

His dad has always been too discerning for his own good. “Mmm.” Senku gets up to put his dishes in the sink.

“Don’t stay up too late, okay? I know your hobbies are important to you, but there’s a lot of other work to be done too.”

“I know, Dad.”

Byakuya gives him a warm, genuine smile, the kind that’s rare in District 11 no matter what you have on the table. “Hey. You know I’m proud of you right? You’re going to do a lot of good for people.”

Senku rolls his eyes. “Duh. What else did you raise me to do, old man?”

Senku goes down into the basement, where he’s got several small samples of tesserae grain in little tins, a meticulously cleaned work table, a hand-powered generator for the lights, stacks of books reaching past the top of his head, and an extremely rough microscope he built himself from old parts. 

Tesserae has been specifically engineered so that it’s impossible to grow from the grain alone. Senku has been working diligently every night since he was ten years old to figure out the exact conditions he needs for it to sprout.

If the Peacekeepers ever found out what he was doing, it’d mean death for him and his dad. So Byakuya only ever refers to Senku’s “hobby” as reading up on the subject of agricultural science, saying Senku is interested in improving crop yields. A good interest for a District 11 kid to have.

If Senku can crack the code, he could start growing the nutrient-dense tesserae grain in secret. It’d be difficult to get any decent yield in the basement, and distributing it to the families that need it is a whole other issue, but that’s a problem for Future Senku, if he can get that far at all. 

He doesn’t really know what’ll happen to all this research if he gets reaped next week, but that’s a problem for Future Senku too. 

—————

Senku hates Reaping Day for a multitude of awful reasons, but putting on his outfit has to be in the top five. Because if the worst comes to worst, he’s got a Contingency Plan in mind, and that requires looking like a girl.

Everyone in the Ishigamis’ neighborhood and most of their clients know Senku as “Byakuya’s son,” and even those who aren’t familiar with him would most often guess male from a first glance at his baggy cotton shirt, wild, untamable hair, and bony frame. Senku doesn’t have much of a chest, which he’s always been glad for, and his voice is just deep enough that it would give even someone who was expecting a girl pause.

But just because everyone at home knows who he is doesn’t mean the Capitol knows or cares. At his first reaping Senku had worn the baggy, oversized mechanic’s overalls his father had sewn for him, and he remembers the Capitol woman who had scanned the crowd for the sorry saps she’d be dragging to their deaths staring at him like some sort of vermin next to the cute little girls in their innocent white dresses.

Senku had enjoyed the revulsion on her face, but that was before he had been forced to come up with the Contingency Plan the year after. And now, standing in front of the mirror in an awkwardly fitting dress with his hair brushed neatly over his shoulders, he turns his head this way and that, checking to make sure he looks sufficiently like what the marker on his birth certificate says. 

 “Pink really isn’t your color,” Byakuya says quietly as they make their way to the Justice Building. He’s smiling with his mouth as if sharing a joke, but there’s no sparkle in his eyes.

“Yeah, green would probably have been better,” Senku remarks just as nonchalantly. 

He’s never told Byakuya about the Contingency Plan, but he suspects his dad somehow knew he’d come up with it before even Senku did. 

They meet up with the Okis as they enter the square. Taiju’s usual boisterous greeting is reduced to a simple polite hello. They get registered, and like they’ve done for the past three years, Byakuya goes to stand with Taiju’s grandparents, while Senku lets Taiju hug him one more time before they get separated into the different gender blocks.

Senku idly wonders if his classmates know why he only dresses as his assigned gender for the one day of the reaping every year. None of them have ever asked, probably because they figure that whatever’s going on in Senku’s brain is too complicated to get into. Or maybe they’re just overly polite. Not really his problem as long as they don’t get in the way of the Plan.

The girls on either side of him are clothed much like he is—in their best, sometimes only dresses, the ones that make them look sweeter, more feminine, more innocent. Senku can count on one hand the number of girls who are wearing anything other than cheap cotton or linen. Not even the wealthiest of District 11 are spared.

So why, Senku thinks bitterly as the mayor drones on and on with the speech he’s given every year, do you still go along with it? 

The Capitol escort finally steps forward to the girls’ bowl. Senku kind of tuned out her introduction, so he doesn’t know the name of the person condemning the name on the slip of paper that she lifts into the air.

“Luna Wright!”

Everyone gasps as Senku raises his eyebrows. That’s the Mayor’s own daughter, the eighteen-year-old girl dressed in a sateen gown worth more than the Ishigamis’ entire home probably. She immediately bursts into tears, but her father’s face simply goes blank as she’s escorted to the stage.

 Senku doesn’t know anything about Luna personally, only seen her from a distance while doing jobs in the town proper. But he looks at her now, at her soft hands and even softer face, and thinks, she won’t last a day. 

The Capitol lady moves onto the boys’ bowl, and Senku holds his breath. The unfurling of the paper, in his mind, matches the sound of a gun having its safety taken off. 

“Taiju Oki!”

 Taiju’s face goes white as his grandmother screams, her husband weeping as he holds onto her. Byakuya however, simply stares at Senku. Waiting.

As Taiju ascends the stage and the Capitol lady goes to lift his and Luna’s hands, Senku puts the next step of the Contingency Plan into motion.

“I volunteer as tribute.”

Everyone snaps to attention at his firm, calm statement. Classmates and neighbors give him looks like he’s lost his mind. Luna stares at him with a gratitude he does not deserve while Taiju’s face is filled with nothing but horror.

“Senku?” He murmurs in disbelief as his childhood friend takes Luna’s place on the stage. “What are you—“

“Well, this is a surprise!” The Capitol lady has shaken off her shock. “Would anyone like to volunteer in Taiju’s place, then?”

Silence. 

“Then let’s give it up for the tributes of District 11, Senku Ishigami and Taiju Oki!”

—————

Before Taiju can demand an explanation, he and Senku are dragged inside the Justice Building into separate rooms to say goodbye to their families.

Senku and Byakuya stand face to face, not saying a word. Senku looks up at his dad as if daring him to challenge his decision. Byakuya however, merely nods.

“You planned this from the start. To volunteer if Taiju was ever picked.”

Senku shrugs. “Is it that obvious? Idiot wouldn’t last five minutes without me.” He crosses his arms. “Sorry I won’t be able to help out around the shop anymore. There’s a list of guys I pinned up by my workbench who have been asking about mechanics’ apprenticeships though. At least a few of them have to be halfway decent.” Because he’s not coming home, and they both know it. Not without Taiju. Never without Taiju. 

Byakuya smiles and there’s no light in his eyes. “None like you though.” 

Senku looks down. “Yeah, too bad.”

His dad reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small glass medallion on a string. “Here. Your token.”

“Eh? I didn’t know you prepared anything.” Senku takes the medallion. It’s barely five centimeters across, and has concentric rings carved into it. It looks like it’s from a piece of scrap in the workshop. When he tilts in in the light, it refracts and sends rainbows scattering across his hand. “Neat.” 

Byakuya envelops him in a hug. “I’ll take care of your houseplants for you,” he says. Senku nods. He trusts his dad to continue his research as best he can. Eventually, they could save lives.

“When Taiju comes home,” Senku says, “look out for him, will you? I don’t want him lazing about like a useless sack of rocks without me to follow around.”

“I promise I will. As long as you promise me something too.”

Senku blinks. “What?”

His father’s voice lowers to barely a whisper as he squeezes Senku tight. “Give them hell.” 

Senku’s eyes widen. Byakuya doesn’t mean the other tributes. He smirks. “Already planning on it, old man.”

Byakuya smiles, genuinely this time, and presses a kiss to his forehead. “That’s my boy.”

—————

As soon as they get on the train, Taiju is frantically begging Senku to explain why he volunteered, tears forming in his eyes. Which is when Senku enacts the next step of the Contingency Plan.

He convinces Taiju that they can win together. That between his brains and Taiju’s brawn, they’ll find a way to outsmart the games, a loophole, an escape exit. 

Taiju, trusting, kind, wonderful Taiju, believes him. 

After all, Senku has never lied to him before. 

Their mentor is an enormous man named Brody Dudley, the winner of the 50th Hunger Games. He scrutinizes both of them from under dark sunglasses, and Senku scrutinizes him right back.

“Pink really isn’t your color, kid,” is the first thing the man says. Senku blinks.

“Yeah, no, it wasn’t my first choice,” he finds himself saying. “It was cheap though.”

“Evidently. Alright. Your first assignment is to watch the recordings of the reapings and report your observations to me in exactly two hours. Go.”

He leaves them alone in the train car, and Taiju glances at Senku. “He, um. Seems okay?”

Senku wouldn’t be so sure. Brody Dudley, he knows, has killed people. Senku researched every single former Victor of District 11 still alive, he knows what price they paid to come home.

But he doesn’t mention this to Taiju, only boots up the screen in front of them to play back the reapings. Assessing one’s opponents isn’t a bad idea, after all.

To their surprise though, the first reaping recording—the one from District 12—appears to have been cut down considerably for…some reason. It doesn’t show the girl being selected, only the boy—she’s already on the stage. 

Their Capitol escort raises their hands into the air and calls their names—the girl is Mirai Shishio. Tears run down her face as she stares blankly at the ground. Everyone around them seems profoundly disturbed by something.

“Why’d they cut the footage?” Taiju wonders. Senku frowns.

“Something must have happened during her reaping that they didn’t like. Let’s just move on for now.”

They skip their own reaping, nothing new to see there, and boot up the next ones. Senku commits every one of their faces to memory. He has no intention of killing anyone—his and Taiju’s strategy will be evasion and survival. But he should know these people, know their names, because the Capitol will soon pretend that he and twenty-two of them no longer exist. 

The videos for Districts 10 and 9 are full recordings—no inexplicable omissions there. Those reapings went predictably, with the expected tears and hopeless expressions. 8, however, is a little different.

“Yuzuriha Ogawa.”

 A petite girl their age with long brown hair and a white headband freezes in the crowd, but only for a moment. She does not cry, or scream, or even frown. 

Instead, she throws her head back and laughs.

“The hell is wrong with her?” Senku blurts out as Yuzuriha ascends the steps to the stage. Taiju doesn’t reply, instead staring at the girl with wide eyes. 

She leans in close to the microphone and flips her hair with a sweet smile and a wink. “Be sure to get my good side, okay?” 

Well. Senku supposes the stress could cause anyone to snap right then and there. 

Yuzuriha’s partner seems to think she’s crazy too, sending her an odd look when he goes to join her. The recording concludes and starts playing the next one automatically.

Nothing particularly interesting happened in Districts 7, 6, and 5 it looks like. In District 4 the tiniest girl Senku’s ever seen is reaped, tears welling up behind her thick round glasses. A moment later, an older girl with blond hair and fierce eyes volunteers in her place. 

“Kohaku Hoseki and Kinro Hashiguchi,” the escort says. When he asks the tributes to offer some comments, Kohaku grabs the microphone.

“Yeah I sure have some comments! FU-“

The recording cuts out. Senku and Taiju glance at each other.

“She sure seems energetic,” Senku deadpans as the next one plays. 

The last three (or first, if going by number) are the ones Senku’s been waiting for. The Career districts. The freaks who train for years and then sign up voluntarily to slaughter their fellow man in the arena with smiles on their faces.

“Homura Momiji and Hyoga Akatsuki!”

District 3’s female tribute is even smaller than Yuzuriha, but no one who volunteers willingly would enter if they didn’t have some sort of killing ability, and Senku resolves to be wary. Her partner however is almost twice her size, with snow white hair, enormous muscles, and an unreadable expression.

“Nikki Hanada and Magma Kengo!”

District 2’s tributes are both heavy looking brick walls of muscle, more so than even Taiju. Senku pushes down the doubt in his stomach. Taiju will win. Taiju will go home. Senku’s gonna make that happen. 

“Kirisame Fujioka and Mozu Torimura!”

Senku raises an eyebrow at how fancy the outfits the District 1 tributes are wearing. Is this some sort of intimidation tactic? Girls are swooning over the boy—eighteen year old Mozu, while Kirisame looks over the crowd with a distant, aloof expression that only seems to highlight her beauty.

And that’s all of them. “That was…” Taiju frowns. “Weird.”

“Everything’s weird, Taiju,” Senku says, standing up and stretching. “Let’s hurry up and report back to Shades McGee before we get lectured.”

Senku finally changes out of the damn dress and into some shorts and a t-shirt, tying his hair up in a ponytail out of his face. Brody doesn’t comment on it as the boys sit down with him.

“First impressions. Now.”

“The Careers are the biggest concern,” Senku says matter-of-factly. “I’m most suspicious of Homura Momiji. She doesn’t look like a powerhouse, which means she’s got something else up her sleeve that we’ll have to look out for. Nobody else really stood out as a major threat, but it’s still too early to make any comprehensive assessments.”

Brody nods as if he’s satisfied with Senku’s evaluation, though his expression doesn’t change. “And what do you think?” He asks Taiju. 

Taiju startles in his seat. “Oh! Um. I agree with Senku, we should definitely avoid the Careers.”

Brody waits. “And the others?”

“Um.” Taiju fidgets with his fingers in his lap. “I don’t know? The girl from Eight…she seems interesting?”

“If by interesting you mean clearly insane,” Senku says. Taiju shakes his head.

“I don’t think she’s insane,” he says. “I think…it was a message. That they wouldn’t get any tears out of her, or something. Maybe…maybe she could be an ally.”

“Allies are risky,” Brody says. “Better stick to the one person you know you can rely on, and that’s you.”

Taiju looks down at his hands and frowns. 

They discuss the upcoming ceremony procedure in brief, curt sentences—Brody seems to prefer only talking to them when necessary. 

Dinner is one of the simultaneously best and worst experiences so far. It’s all so much, bread in all shades rather than just dark brown, fresh butter and cream, protein in the form of entire roasts of meat rather than a few eggs every other week. Taiju’s eyes are enormous as he takes it all in, and Senku has to remind him he can’t eat everything, even if it tastes heavenly.

Senku can’t muster much of an appetite. Even a single bite of the pearly white bread makes him feel sick to his stomach—how many people in the Capitol eat like this while some families in District 11 subsist on nothing but bitter tesserae grain? How much do they gorge on the vegetables Senku’s neighbors shed blood and sweat to grow while Peacekeepers will shoot a child for taking a single bite of an unripe peach?

He fights the urge to scream when the meal is over and there are still so, so many leftovers. Taiju watches the staff wheel away the scraps of food too, astonished that their Capitol escort didn’t even finish the rind of her cheese. Brody however, finished everything that was on his plate, and nothing less.

Before they have time to think much on it, the boys are sent to bed. After about an hour, Taiju knocks on Senku’s door.

“I can’t sleep.” 

Senku sighs in exasperation and walks over to Taiju’s room. “Come on then.”

Taiju’s tangled his blankets up into a sort of nest on the ground—apparently the plush bed was too soft and unfamiliar, and made him feel uneasy. Senku lets Taiju rest his head on his lap as he reviews some notes he took earlier about the other tributes and the ceremony.

“Senku?”

“Hm?”

“We won’t have to…kill anyone, right?”

Senku puts his notebook down. “Taiju, I promise you that you’ll never have to lay a finger on another person, okay? I’ll make sure of it. We’re gonna make it out, the two of us, and it’s all going to be just fine.”

Taiju nods, exhaling slowly. “Okay. Good.” 

He falls asleep not long after that, and Senku carefully extricates himself to return to his own room. 

As he lies in bed staring up at the ceiling, Senku thinks through the Contingency Plan again.

Step 1: When Taiju is reaped for the Hunger Games, volunteer in place of the female tribute. 

Step 2: Convince Taiju the two of you can make it out alive so he doesn’t panic.

Step 3: Present yourself as an innocent young girl to the Capitol to drum up sympathy for sponsors.

Step 4: Get a mid-range training score to fall beneath notice. Make sure Taiju gets a high score so people avoid him. 

Step 5: When the games begin, do everything it takes to survive with Taiju until the other tributes destroy each other.

Step 6: Go home. 

Technically, it isn’t a lie that they’ll both come home at the end. 

It’s just that one of them will be in a box.