Chapter Text
In a world of rumors, grades and cliques, there was an ignorant fifteen year old; Senku Ishigami. Perhaps ignorant would be the wrong thing to call him. Senku lived in his own small world of numbers, chemical reactions and friends. Those being his only two real friends were Taiju Oki and Yuzuriha Ogawa.
Taiju was loyal to a fault and his bright personality provided much joy into Senku’s life. He was as strong as an ox and his only flaws seemed to be his slightly slower understanding and comprehension in academics; and the fact that he was loyal to a fault.
Yuzuriha, dubbed the love of Taiju’s life, was a soft spoken and proper young girl who excelled in arts and crafts. Her diligence matched that only of Senku’s own as she was often seen taking up difficult and long art projects.
As someone who lived in his own world, Senku was rather ignorant and oblivious to the attention he received from his classmates. Some of his classmates had even gone to claim that he only really cared about his studies. The only thing he really saw when he looked at his peers was how they could help benefit his own gain. While on some standpoints it was seen as rather cruel and inhuman it was what Senku considered to be normal.
To call the young teenager who lived in his own world ignorant was no understatement, but it certainly didn’t mean that he was someone who never noticed others. He was rather aware of people in higher positions than him and was curious about getting higher connections, even in his younger years.
Not that Senku would ever call himself a ladder climber, but any decently smart person knew that everything was easier when one had connections higher up.
Among his peers though, Senku only really found a handful of people interesting. Apart from his friends of course.
And on the top of that list was a young girl in the same grade as Senku and his friends; (Y/n) (L/n). In all honesty, Senku didn’t know much about her. He knew that she sat in front of him in chemistry class and that there always seemed to be a new person sitting beside her. While she came off as popular, no one really seemed to know her too well.
(Y/n), at least to her teachers, was known at best as an average student that didn’t disturb class too often. To her peers she was a problem solver and director of relationship advice, whether that be friendship or couple problems.
From Senku’s perspective, she always seemed to have her hands full.
Other people’s problems always seemed like such a bother for the boy that lived in his own world. It was why he preferred a world of numbers and calculations. They didn’t involve so many unknown variables. Helping to solve the problems of others just seemed so pointless to Senku.
In all honesty, Senku didn’t think there was much that separated her from the other girls in school. There were plenty of popular girls who shared classes with him, so what made her so special?
There was just something different about her, and Senku was determined to figure out what that thing was; and while he may not have known exactly what it was about her, he knew exactly when his curiosity about the girl had started.
“It’s a psychology test,” read a young teen with glasses, “you can only save yourself, your friend or your significant other. Which do you choose?”
The members of the science club had started chatter amongst themselves over the question. It was quite a curious question after all; and one that would tell much about a person’s priorities. Senku’s two friends, who happened to not be members of the science club, had happened to be hanging out in the science room when the question was read aloud and took to discussing it amongst themselves.
“You’d pick yourself in the moment, right?” Asked the young teen with glasses.
Taiju exclaimed in response that “there’s no good choice! Kind of a nast quiz. Don’tcha think?!”
Yuzuriha nodded in agreement with Taiju.
Senku paused his diligent work, having finally tuned into one of the many questions shared between the members of the science club and his friends.
“All of us.” he declared, “I’d find a way to save everyone!”
“Ohh, that’s the sort of answer we’d expect from the science club president.” mumbled one of the members.
“Wait, that’s an option? I'll pick that one too, then!” Added Taiju.
Senku huffed, “well, that’s ten billion precent obvious! What garbage dump did you find that book in?!”
“What’s so obvious about an answer that wasn’t in the book?” A newcomer asked. It was a girl who leaned against the doorframe, stands of (h/c) hair falling over her shoulder. “While I will admit that it’s a rather intuitive answer, I think it’s actually a little naive. While rather admirable I don’t think it’s a plausible answer to the question. Even if that someone is as intuitive as you.”
Senku, despite having stopped his project, had yet to look away from it. Now though, the harsh words from the newcomer had prompted his full attention. While Senku had debated things with others before he had never had someone tell him he was naive, much less in the science club room!
Standing at the door, the (h/c) haired girl smiled gently. She stood stiffly with her hands behind her back despite the relaxed look on her face. If this had been a situation where Senku’s pride hadn’t just been insulted, the teenage boy might’ve even realized how attractive she was.
But alas, this was not that event and the science club president frowned.
The science club president recognized her as (Y/n) (L/n). They shared a… chemistry class?
“Why don’t you think it’s a possible answer, (L/n)-san!?” Taiju asked, his voice booming compared to her own.
(Y/n) bowed before giving a practiced smile, “please excuse my bad manors! I just personally quite enjoy reading books about psychology! And got excited when I saw what you were talking about! I’m actually quite a fan of that book in particular. Anyhow, it was inappropriate for me to have just joined in on your conversation. Please carry on with your task!”
The members of the science club were stunned at the girl’s words and reaction. It was almost as if a switch had been flipped in her brain before she was ready to leave.
“So you don’t think you could save everyone?” Senku rolled his eyes at the loud retort and had stood there for a moment before he had realised it was in fact him who had said those words. What in the world was happening to him right now?
“Definitely not.” She glanced over her shoulder briefly, “and besides, I wouldn’t just pick myself because I’m scared to die. I’d never want a lover or close friend to have to suffer the pain of being alone. After All, it’s the ones left behind who suffer the most.”
Senku had opened his mouth once again to say something but had been cut off by (Y/n)’s carefree smile, “I hope you don’t think too horribly of me! Enjoy the rest of your day!”
And then the science club president was stuck. Like how one would stare at a difficult equation, the science club president stared at the entrance unsure of what to do. While the science club president liked to think he didn’t care much for winning an argument he had to admit that this was rather annoying.
This disubte had gotten his heart pounding and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Many regarded Taiju Oki as a simpleton, though none would say it to his face; apart from his blunt friend Senku. People knew better than to insult someone to their face in this day in age if they weren’t trying to get into a fight. Unsparingly though, this simpleton was a kind soul that would go as far as thanking someone after they had insulted him. He had an ignorance towards what others thought of him, which is probably why he and Senku got along so well.
Unlike Senku though, Taiju did have a certain few people whose opinions he cared dearly about.
His mother for one, obviously. She had given birth to him and he wanted nothing but her love and affection until he was the one taking care of her.
Senku, because no one in their right mind would ever want their best friend to think negatively about them.
And Yuzuriha! The woman who he knew for certain was the love of his life.
Despite both Senku and Taiju’s ignorance and lack of regard for others' opinions it would dehumanize them to say that they didn’t care at all. In fact, almost everyone is under the scrutiny of others and it would be impossible to say that there was never a person who didn’t even slightly care about how others thought of them.
Senku and Taiju certainly cared about the other, even if they knew that the other would always hold them in a positive light. One would even go as far to say that they knew each other so well that they knew how one would react to something without the other even having to be there!
They had the kind of friendship that rarely occurs between people.
And it was because of that relationship that Taiju knew that something had definitely happened in class! Taiju was certain he had never seen his friend so huffed up before! (Except perhaps that one incident where Senku’s pants had been pulled down in swimming class, but that was an incident Taiju had promised to never talk about.)
Senku was the last to leave the classroom, his eyes staring off into the distance despite a wall being inches from his face.
“What’s wrong, Senku?” Asked Taiju.
“Nothing’s wrong.” huffed Senku.
Taiju, taking his friend’s word, responded with a simple, “alright.”
The pair had begun making their way towards Senku’s locker,most likely to deposit any books the science club president deemed useless, before making their way to the club room.
Senku seemed to have been lost in thought as he mumbled something to himself before shaking his head. It was only for a moment so brief that Taiju thought he might’ve even imagined it.
“Why in the world would you think something’s wrong, you big buffoon?” asked Senku.
“Oh, well it’s just that you have that look to you, ya know? You’re sort of happy and annoyed at the same time! It’s like how you look when you get a 98 percent!” Exclaimed Taiju.
“Do I?” Shrugged Senku before quickly clearing his throat and changing the subject, “anyways, is Yuzuriha planning on coming to the science club today?”
Taiju shook his head, “nope! She said that she wants to finish her new big project right now! Why? Are you doing something cool today in the science club? Oh! Are you making a volcano or a flying car out of rubber bands and straws?!”
Senku scoffed, “as if I’d do something as elementary as that!”
The kind faced boy just shrugged in response to his friend’s words, “I have no idea what you smart kids do in science club! Even if I am there every other day!”
“Hey, Ishigami-san!” A familiar voice called out, “wait up!” The familiar (h/c) haired girl ran up to the pair, slightly out of breath.
Taiju recognized her as (Y/n) (L/n). Familiarizing himself with her after that day in the science club room!
She held out a book to the science club president, “I accidentally took your textbook when I left class! I think you have mine!”
Taiju noticed how Senku’s body slightly stiffened at (Y/n)’s voice though in contrast he smiled slightly. Taiju thought it strange but didn’t say anything to either Senku or (Y/n). The smile quickly turned into a scowl though as he noticed his name on the front of the textbook in (Y/n)’s hand.
Senku sighed, “let me just get it out.”
“It’s alright, Senku!” Taiju exclaimed, practically ripping his friend’s backpack away from him, “I can get it out for you! You just keep (L/n)-san entertained!”
“(L/n) isn’t an animal that needs constant entertainment, Taiju.” Senku rolled his eyes, “unlike someone else I know!”
“Oh, who’s that?” Taiju asked.
“You know,” (Y/n)’s gentle voice was filled with humor as she added, “you don’t know much about me, Ishigami-san. I could actually be quite a childish person!”
“Was I talking to you?” Asked Senku, a serious look on his face.
If (Y/n) had been anyone else, Taiju was certain they would’ve been offended and made a scene. Taking everything Taiju knew about the (h/c) haired girl, which certainly wasn’t a lot, he knew that she was likely to do something unexpected.
She just smiled and laughed, “you were talking about me! And I hope that at least counts for something- oh! Is that my textbook?” Taiju handed the book to (Y/n), a sense of accomplishment filling him to the brim. His joy was quickly diminished though as (Y/n) let out a sigh, “it looks like Yuri-chan probably has my textbook.”
“How did you guys manage to get into a mess like this?” Asked Taiju.
“We were doing a group project! We must’ve switched textbooks then. Anyways, I’m going to go and find Yuri-chan to see if she has my textbook!” (Y/n) waved goodbye to the pair of friends, “hopefully I’ll see the two of you around at one point,” before making her way down the hall.
Ships in the night is all that Senku and (Y/n) might’ve been if this world had continued on it’s normal predetermined path. Of course, fate often has different things in mind. They just didn’t know it.
“Hey, are you coming, Senku?” Taiju called out, looking back to see where his friend was.
Senku stood in the same spot he had been in just moments before, staring off into the hallway. Taiju wondered if it had something to do with (Y/n)?
Yuzuriha Ogawa, was an artistic girl though she considered herself to only be around the level of a beginner. The girl was of the humble breed but so much that she thought little of herself. She had a good balance of self worth and humble nature; something that many kids her age lacked.
She was described as a kind girl who only spoke when she had something nice to say. Taiju’s ideal woman.
Of course, like all women, Yuzuriha was just a human. A normal person with normal flaws and one of them happened to be her quick nature when it came to judging people. No one would fault her for that though, after all it’s impossible for people to not compare others.
The artist thought that most girls were rather snobby and gossiped too much. While she was often curious about the rumors between her different peers she always tried her best not to listen and not to spread them. She hated how much she liked to talk about people she barely knew and because of it she tried her best to avoid people that did enjoy it. You tend to become like the people you hang out around, after all.
This reason was why Yuzuriha’s friend group was limited to the kids in the art club and her two best friends named Taiju and Senku.
While everyone wanted to be popular, Yuzuriha preferred her small group of friends. They were the people that made her feel like she belonged. They were the people that made her feel loved and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
After all, genuinely nice people are hard to come by these days.
Yuzuriha had been waiting impatiently for class to end. Then she would be able to escape into her own small fantasy world of painting!
The art teacher earlier today had asked her to help another students finish painting their mural. While Yuzuriha wasn’t all too keen on staying at school all night she had agreed from the kindness of her heart. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to stay too long and if she did she hoped she would at least be awarded merit points.
Merit points were how students' obedience levels were ranked. Merit points were awarded when you did something well and taken away when you misbehaved. If it reached a certain low then your parents would be called.
Unfortunately, for the kind Yuzuriha, she was late for a few too many classes. One more late class and a call home would be due. Another few points would give her a nice breather and help calm her stress a little.
“Oh, hey there!” Yuzuriha greeted as she entered the classroom. “Are you the person I’m supposed to help?”
The (h/c) haired girl smiled sheepishly, “well hopefully not too much. I just wanted Professor Suzuiki to give me a second opinion, but I guess she had tossed it onto you.”
(Y/n) (L/n) was one of those girls that Yuzuriha didn’t know much about. They shared a few different classes but they never really conversed much.
(Y/n) could often be seen hanging out with different groups of people. Yuzuriha thought that she was one of those girls that kept to herself. (Y/n) was nice enough for the most part. Not that Yuzuriha really had a place to judge. After all, she barely even knew the girl. Yuzuriha guessed that right now would be a good time to get to know her.
“Oh! Yeah, what did you want me to look at?” Yuzuriha asked.
The (h/c) haired girl pointed to a large painting. A girl lay in the water staring off into the eyes of whoever happened to be looking at the canvas. She wore a black dress that seemed to pop against the blue canvas of the water. The girl in the painting’s hair was a few shades lighter than the black dress and disappeared into the water.
Yuzuriha noted that there seemed to be a good amount of space on the left side of the painting. It was as if it was missing something and it was just waiting for someone to point it out.
It looked as if it might’ve been a self portrait but the girl in the painting wore an expression that Yuzuriha had never seen the (h/c) haired girl express before. In fact, Yuzuriha would’ve gone as far as to say that she had never seen someone her age wear that expression before. While it may not have been a self portrait, it was certainly something that (Y/n) had put a lot of effort into.
“So… what do you think?” Asked (Y/n) hesitantly.
“I think it looks amazing!” complimented Yuzuriha.
(Y/n) smiled, “you’re not just saying that, are you?”
“What!?”
“Don’t worry,” (Y/n) chuckled, “I’m just teasing you! So, any critiques? Like should I change the colour of the dress? I was debating on a white dress originally but I wanted to represent the change in her life.”
“Doesn't black represent loss?”
“Well, I was hoping that the black dress would represent loss of childhood or naivety for the girl in the painting. Loss of what she had as she moves on forward in her life.”
“Wow. That’s really deep.”
(Y/n) blushed, “not too deep, I hope.”
“Hopefully.” responded Yuzuriha. (Y/n) hadn’t said anything after, taking a step back to look at the painting. Yuzuriha followed the (h/c) haired girl, trying to see if it really was missing anything.
The features of the painting weren’t too bland but not enough detail that you could make out who’s face it was in the painting. Yuzuriha debated on making a comment about the colour of the dress but then it would ruin the composition of the whole painting and that certainly wasn’t something she wanted to happen.
“Don’t you think she looks a little lonely?” The words were coming out of Yuzuriha’s mouth before she realized it, “perhaps someone on the left beside her?”
“Hmm?” (Y/n) pondered briefly before smiling brightly, “yeah! I think that’ll work out really well! Would you want to sketch something out with me?”
“I’d love to!”
Yuzuriha’s wishes of getting home early had been thrown out the window as she and (Y/n) spent at least two hours drawing different concepts of the second person that would grace the canvas.
So far, the two girls had decided that it should at least be a boy. They could paint a sort of love story between the two of them.
Yuzuriha was looking between two quick sketches she had made, debating on which she would show to the (h/c) haired girl when she noticed the focused look on her companion’s face. It was almost as if the girl had been going through deja vu of some sort.
“Did you draw this, Yuzuriha?” (Y/n) asked.
Peaking over (Y/n)’s shoulder, Yuzuriha nodded. It was one of the drawings she had tossed aside quickly in favour of something more dramatic.
“Yeah. Do you like it?” Asked Yuzuriha.
(Y/n) nodded, “yes! I think this is what I want to add onto the canvas! Do you think you could do something like this in more detail? You’re a lot better at drawing than I am.”
“What do you mean? You’re a wonderful drawer!” Exclaimed Yuzuriha.
While the (h/c) haired girl didn’t look all too convinced she just smiled. Before Yuzuriha could further inquire on the girl’s feelings (Y/n)’s phone had begun ringing. The (h/c) haired girl jumped up before giving an apologetic grin and running out of the room briefly.
Yuzuriha decided to start improving the drawing she had previously thrown away.
She wondered what it was about this picture that (Y/n) liked so much. Perhaps it was because the boy in the drawing looked so in love with the girl who was staring off into the sky. Yuzuriha had thought it to be a little too intimate the longer she looked at it but continued with the drawing anyways.
The girl’s thoughts wandered to Taiju as she continued drawing.
She wondered what he might be doing right now and if he would ever look at someone that way. If he would ever look at her that way?
WAIT!
What in the world was she thinking!
She needed to get her head out of the gutter! This was no time to be thinking about something like that. Nope! Nay! Nada!
“Are you feeling sick, Yuzuriha?” (Y/n) asked, placing a hand on her companion’s forehead. It caused Yuzuriha to blush more. She hadn’t even noticed when (Y/n) had come back into the art room! “I’m really sorry for keeping you here too long! I shouldn’t have asked you to stay longer after you gave me a suggestion.”
“Oh, it’s alright (Y/n)!” Fretted Yuzuriha, “I was just thinking about something else and it made me… hot!”
“Well if you wanna head home now that'll be alright! I need to get back now too. It’s an emergency. My neighbor needs to head out and doesn't have anyone to watch her daughter, so I’m going to head out!” Explained (Y/n).
Yuzuriha nodded, “alright!”
Mornings had never been Yuzuriha’s strong suit but she somehow always managed to wake up. Well, not exactly always but that's besides the point!
She wasn’t going to be late to her first period class! Not today at least!
“Hey Yuzuriha-chan!” (Y/n) called out to the brown haired girl. Yuzuriha yawned and waved in greeting to the (h/c) haired girl that was quickly approaching her. “You go to school early as well?”
Yuzuriha shook her head, “nope. I just have an assignment I need to turn in before class starts, today. What about you? Are you an early riser?”
(Y/n) shook her head, “I’m not really an early riser. I've just been waking up because I accidentally signed up for early morning cleaning this year. I’ve been stuck waking up early all year. It’s nice to be able to walk with someone though! I usually walk by myself!”
“Do you live in this area? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before?”
The (h/c) haired girl blushed, “I actually live in the other direction. I missed my stop this morning and ended up getting off somewhere around here.”
Yuzuriha giggled, “well aren’t you silly!”
(Y/n) pouted, “well it’s not like I did it on purpose!”
“Yuzuriha! Wait up!” A loud voice called. The two girls turned to see a familiar dark haired male (oaf, in the words of Senku) approaching them.
“Taiju! You’re here! Did you want to talk to me about something?” Yuzuriha asked, smiling sweetly towards the boy.
Taiju blushed, “I wanted to ask you to meet me under the tree in the back of the school at the end of the day! There’s something I want to tell you!”
“Alright.” She smiled, “I’ll see you there!”
(Y/n) laughed, causing the duo to look at her.
“What’s so funny, (Y/n)?” Yuzuriha asked.
The (h/c) haired girl smiled, walking backwards so she could see the duo’s faces, “I think the two of you are absolutely adorable! I don’t mean any harm by laughing! I just think the relationship the two of you have is very sweet!”
The two of them blushed, turning their heads away from one another at (Y/n)’s straightforward words. (Y/n) laughed again at the duo’s actions.
Yuzuriha, while liking to think she wasn’t the most obvious with her feelings, was actually rather fond of Taiju. While he was a little on the… duller side of people he was a sweetheart. Someone kind by nature. She wasn’t so sure he would’ve felt the same way towards her though.
“The two of you are friends with Ishagami-san, right?” (Y/n) asked.
“Why? are you interested in him?” Yuzuriha asked, raising her brow suggestively.
This would be the perfect opportunity to finally get the hopeless Senku on a date. She would be the best wing woman! While clearly ignoring her own lack of a relationship, Yuzuriha was certain that she wanted her friends to be happy!
Someone chipper and smart like (Y/n) would be the perfect person for Senku too! At least, that was what Yuzuriha thought. Perhaps she really just wanted (Y/n) closer into their friend group.
(Y/n) tilted her head to the side, “I think he’s a very interesting person. I wouldn’t say I’m interested in him romantically though. I think I’d have to know someone a little longer than the amount of time we’ve known each other before I can begin to be interested in them.”
“An interesting person?” Taiju asked, “is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“A good thing! Ishigami-san is a rather… passionate person; and passionate people are very admirable. To be able to lose yourself in something that you love is certainly a trait I find endearing.”
Taiju and Yuzuriha exchanged looks of confusion as they watched the (h/c) haired girl walk backwards.
“You know,” Yuzuriha began, “you kind of talk like an adult, (Y/n).”
“Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?” (Y/n) asked, repeating Taiju’s words from earlier.
Yuzuriha liked how (Y/n) talked. It was different from how most of the kids her age spoke. The (h/c)ette didn’t use as much slang as the other kids their age. It was a very proper way of speaking. One typically seen more in adults and elderly people. Yuzuriha had assumed her speech pattern and mannerisms must've been because of the household (Y/n) was raised in.
It’s not like there was anything wrong with talking formally!
“I think it’s a… oh my goodness, (Y/n)! Are you okay!” Yuzuriha exclaimed, fretting over the girl who had somehow managed to fall over.
(Y/n) laughed, “don’t worry about it! My parents are always telling me to walk forward because something like this is bound to happen. But you don’t have to worry about me! I’m not that fragile.”
Despite all the strange things that had happened that morning, Senku had still pulled himself out of bed and made his way to school.
School was obviously important, but not all the things taught at school interested the boy who lived in his own little world. Senku sighed, even if he had passed all of his classes easily he would still have different challenges to face.
Today though, it wouldn’t be his great challenge. No, that would come thousands of years later (even if the boy didn’t know it yet). Right now, it was the great challenge for his bull headed friend and even if Senku feigned his disinterest in his friend’s struggles he was still going to be there.
Sitting in the science club room, Senku waited patiently for the loud booming voice of his friend; and briefly (very briefly) he wondered how it might’ve felt to have someone waiting under the cherry tree for him.
Not that romance mattered! It was pointless in his eyes! But just because it was pointless didn’t mean that he would abandon his friend’s pursuit for it. And maybe one day, he would find a point in it too. It’s just a shame that that day wouldn’t come for a long, long time.
That day, waiting under the tree at the back of the school, Yuzuriha smiled. Today was the day her life would change! She could feel it in her bones!
But she never would've guessed what would’ve happened. Especially as the flashing of a bright light washed over her. It wasn’t just her life that would change, but the lives of everyone in the world.