Chapter Text
THE STAR
“To see this card is a message to have faith, for the universe will bless you and bring forth all that you need.”
It's on a freakishly cold summer night that Senku asks Gen how many stars he thinks are in the sky. It’s a question asked without the expectation of a correct answer, meant to act as a perfect segue into one of those lectures Senku finds a sadistic joy within.
Gen tilts his head from side to side, taps his chin, draws out a long hmm, before answering that there must be at least 34. The answer is absurd enough to get a snort out of Senku and Gen hunkers down in preparation for the impending lesson. He knows it’s going to be a long one.
There is nothing Senku Ishigami loves more than space.
In darling Senku’s list of loves, nothing will ever come close to the moon and the stars. Perhaps his astronaut papa could but isn't it all the same at the end of the day? Chasing the coattails of space, it’s ever-expanding vacuum is a cesspool of obscurity. Some people believe the dead rest among the stars, Gen wonders what Senku thinks of such a thing.
Probably that it’s ‘wholly illogical’ but ‘you’re welcome to believe whatever you want if it keeps you going’. Such is the way of Senku’s kindness. Personally, to Gen, it makes sense for an astronaut to be among the stars. Alive or dead. This is, perhaps, a good explanation for Senku’s fascination with stargazing recently.
What does Gen know though? Senku only likes him a little less than Archimedes and a smidge more than Robert Koch. Whatever that means.
“No,” the great scientist of the avant-garde stone age huffs, “there’s actually about 200 billion trillion or rather 200 sextillion.”
Crazy numbers coming out the mouth of an even crazier guy. Gen isn’t really surprised. “So definitely at least 34.”
Senku rolls his eyes. “Technically at least 34,” he concedes, “Only a few thousand of them are visible to the human eye, though, you wouldn’t be seeing anything near that in modern day Tokyo.”
“Ah, how I miss the sweetness of light pollution,” Gen sighs whimsically.
“After 3,700 years though, I’m almost ten billion percent sure some of these stars are new,” he explains, yammering on excitedly about red giants, hydrogen and supernovae.
Call him sentimental, nostalgic or prone to reminiscing but Gen finds himself stuck on the realisation that not even the night sky is the same anymore. There’s an ache in his 3,700 year old bones. They've lost so much already but for something as transcendent as the stars to become unfamiliar?
It's-
“-there are FUors and EXors too, the former are known for extreme bursts in luminosity while the latter is the opposite. Well, after a brief stint of brightness, they still dim crazy fast.”
Well it's pretty miserable but supposedly interesting enough that Senku, oh great lover of all things space, doesn't give a shit.
“I owned a star,” Gen interrupts, “back in the old world. It was a gift from my parents after I published my book. I wonder if it’s still kicking.”
Senku looks a bit miffed from being cut off but then again, it could just be that resting bitch face of his in action. He shrugs easily. “There’s no way of knowing anymore. If you're that mournful about it just pick another one and name it.”
What a pragmatic solution. Laying claim to these new stars, that is, if Ryusui hasn’t bought them all. Gen takes in the sky, his eyes rake over every star he can see. There’s one right beside the moon. He points and-
“Ah-ah,” Senku suddenly scolds, “I already claimed the ones around the moon. Stay in your lane, mentalist.”
So Ryusui wasn’t the one to worry about after all. Gen can’t quite make sense of it, the idea of Senku sitting out here alone, picking and choosing stars, especially the ones around the moon. It’s all very sentimental and a tad metaphorical.
He tells Senku this and is met with a gag and an order to “Never insult me like that again.”
“What names did you choose?” Gen asks.
“Nothing special, just borrowed the names of some dumbass astronauts.”
Sentimental. Metaphorical.
Astronauts among the stars, life and death. Perhaps the idea wasn’t as far-fetched as Gen originally thought and this is why Senku has been so taken with the night as of late. Speaking of, the lesson about stars restarts in full swing once more.
Reclining fully, Gen closes his eyes and listens beneath the glow of Yakov, Darya, Shamil, Connie, Lillian and Byakuya. The brightest stars to accompany the moon in 3700 years.
“Then again, stars can live for millions to trillions of years old. Their properties just change.”
There’s beauty in that. Somewhere.
A Minami Hokutozai Interview
Q: If the petrification never happened, where would you be today?
SENKU: In the year 5741? Dead, obviously.
MINAMI: No- that’s not…
A Minami Hokutozai Interview
Q: If the petrification never happened, how would your life have gone thus far?
(Obviously I’m talking about the year 2023 onwards dipshits)
RYUSUI: I’d still be sailing around the world while being profoundly rich, of course!
MINAMI: Of course.
RYUSUI: I’d have never gotten to captain the mighty Perseus though, which feels like a waste. Hmm. Perhaps the modern world would have granted me an even better vessel. Or maybe I would have hunted for the great modern scientist, Senku, to build one for me!
SENKU: Pass.
MINAMI: Perseus? That’s the name of the ship that’s being built? Did we all agree on that?
RYUSUI: No! But I've already trademarked it, haha!
MINAMI: I don’t even know why I bother with you. I seem to forget that you’re an unapologetic prick and just generally–
UKYO: I can’t say I’ve ever thought about it. Actually, I think that train of thought is just too depressing-
MINAMI: Think about it now. Don’t be a bore.
UKYO: Well I’d probably still be a sonar operator for the Navy. Or maybe I might’ve quit? I was thinking of getting a cat too.
MINAMI: You would quit being a sonar operator, ears? Interesting! What would you have done instead?
UKYO: I had gotten an offer to teach beginner stage archery in highschools around the country. Huh. If I had, I think I may have met Senku-kun anyway.
MINAMI: He would be so terrible at it you would be praying for a world wide petrification event.
SENKU: Watch it-
GEN: Too soon! What an alicious-may comment, Minami-chan!
UKYO: Maybe I would be, haha. But isn’t it funny how fate works?
CHROME: I’d be a super bad scientist with Senku, obviously!
MINAMI: You weren’t even a concept 3,700 years ago, who invited you?
CHROME: What? You don’t think I’ve been reincarnated into who I am today to help Senku out with his awesome science roadmaps?
MINAMI: No? Who even gave you that idea?!
NIKKI: Sorry!
SENKU: The only Chrome I knew in 2019 was the element Chromium, atomic number 24- It’s actually a super exciting metal that can reflect 70% of the visible light and 90% of Infrared light–
MINAMI: Oh my GOD! Everyone, wait your turn!
CHROME: I’m named after something that cool? Wicked!
TAIJU: I have no clue! Working? Helping Senku with his rocket building? OOH, MAYBE I’D GO TO SPACE TOO!
SENKU: Never in 3,700 years, brick for brains.
RYUSUI: If you desire it, then it will be yours, Taiju!
MINAMI: GO AWAY! Anyway Taiju, what about Yuzuriha-chan?
TAIJU: Yuzuriha? Maybe she could be in space with us too- LIKE THE LITTLE DOLLS, SENKU!
YUZURIHA: I think I’ll pass on space, sorry Taiju-kun!
MINAMI: Any idea on say, your possible romance status?
YUZURIHA: Ah! Well, now that I think about it-
SENKU: Oh, you and Taiju would ten billion percent be bo-
TAIJU: SENKU!!!
FRANCOIS: I would still be with Ryusui-sama.
MINAMI: That’s… a little bleak?
FRANCOIS: Not at all. He desires the ocean, I am happy to accommodate that particular wish out of any.
MINAMI: You really wouldn’t want to be doing anything else?
FRANCOIS: My current position is an honour, please do not worry.
RYUSUI: It was actually Francois who introduced me to the wonders of sailboats! The Nanami Conglomerate was focused on advancing forward in sailing technology but Francois used to tell me about the pirates of the 17th Century!
MINAMI: That’s actually oddly wholesome-
RYUSUI: And so obviously I desired my own motley crew to sail with. And now look! A group of absurd outlaws at my own beck and call!
MOTLEY CREW: Yarr!
MINAMI: You’re all ruining it!
FRANCOIS: Truly, there is nowhere else I would rather be.
GEN: Isn’t it a little morbid to speculate on what life could have been like? Pretty sure rule one of therapy is to not dwell on what could have been, Minami-chan.
MINAMI: Well, a healthy mindset is a bit of a drag-
GEN: Uh-
MINAMI: So get speculating.
GEN: So harsh! I was going on a world tour that September so maybe I’d be in the states.
SENKU: Lucky for you, mentalist, that’s our end goal!
GEN: Then I get my world tour one way or another. But between you and me, dear listeners, I think I prefer it this way.
YO: Well I would have finished pissing on that wall–
MINAMI: Eurgh, just vile!
YO: And then I would have resumed kicking bad guys’ asses as the best police officer in Japan. Duh.
MAGMA: AND I’LL BE AN EVEN BETTER POLICE OFFICER OR WHATEVER!
YO: STAY OUTTA THIS YOU NEANDERTHAL–
MINAMI: Honestly. I give up, I hate the Kingdom of Science.
NIKKI: If it makes you feel better, Minami-chan, I was planning on doing a law degree and I had just bought my first guitar so I'd hopefully have gotten pretty good with that- like Lillian!
MINAMI: Finally! A respectable response.
THE SIX OF CUPS
“To see this card is a message that you should explore your memories, but you should not allow yourself to remain there.”
“Central heating.”
“Cars.”
“My airfryer, dude.”
“Shampoo.”
“Bullet Trains.”
“Movie marathons.”
Chrome is trying his best here. Usually, there’s nothing more interesting than the whole modern lot congregating to discuss the scientific level of the past. Usually, he learns a whole bunch of crazy things. Usually, it's really fun to listen in.
But this? This is–
“The internet.”
“Smartphones!”
“Minecraft.”
“Oh, fucking Minecraft!”
This is just really depressing actually.
The whole hut reeks of brandy and nostalgia; sounds of melancholic moaning and groaning; and just generally looks like the aftermath of a brutal winter. Not to mention the fact Chrome hasn’t got a clue what most of these words mean.
What the Hell is an airfryer? What great purpose did it serve back in 2019 to leave such a profound impact? And then there’s this Minecraft thing, Chrome’s pretty sure Ukyo teared up at the mere mention of it.
It’s been hours of this. Sitting in silence, broken occasionally by the clunking of clay pots against glass and a random word from the 21st century that goes way over Chrome’s head but elicits a response of such intense yearning from everyone else.
“School,” Nikki sighs, “I think I might actually miss school.”
“Too late for all that now, you’re an old woman!” Senku cackles to which everyone groans and takes a frighteningly large gulp of alcohol.
Chrome takes this as his chance to jump in and prevent any excessive drinking- if they aren’t already past that point, anyway. “What’s the big deal? Aren’t you gonna recreate all this stuff?”
“Please recreate Minecraft as soon as possible,” Yo all but grovels at Senku’s feet and Chrome has a sneaking suspicion he’s going to lose the thread of the conversation again.
“Hah? We’re a bit busy building a ship dumbass, go punch a tree.”
“Oh,” Chrome perks up, “Punching trees is Kohaku’s speciality, she can help you!”
For some reason, this makes everyone deflate and take another extra long sip of their drinks. Yo even mutters something about killing himself and Nikki swats him over the head in a more dejected manner than usual.
“You sweet summer child, you have no idea what you’re missing out on.”
“Then tell me!” Chrome complains, “You’ve just been sat in here crying-”
“Mmm, crying’s a bit of a stretch, yeah?”
“-for the last hour! What gives? Normally you’re all so excited about telling me about your time. Where did this gloomy atmosphere even come from?”
Everyone looks appropriately chastised for about three seconds before taking a hesitant gulp of their gross beverage. Chrome’s had enough. He slaps the cup out of Ryusui’s hand and sticks out his tongue when the man basically hisses at him.
It’s a bit redundant, Francois has another cup poured before the captain can even snap his fingers.
“I think we’re all just getting a bit bored,” Yuzuriha suggests.
“But we’re building the ship?”
“Yeah, but in our time you could go on your phone and slack off instead of grafting all day,” Yo explains. Chrome still doesn’t get it, why would you want to distract yourself? How would you even do that with the clunky phone?
“Don’t bring your appalling work ethic into this,” Nikki scolds, “For most of us it’s the long periods of waiting. Before you could just hop on a console but now…”
“Yesterday, I think I stared at the ocean for a good half an hour?” Gen sighs.
There’s a general mumbling of agreement before Ryusui raises his new glass and declares, “Games!” to which everyone drinks.
To Chrome, this whole sob fest comes across as a game in itself. Like.. like the ‘Drink Every Time Someone Says Something They Miss From The Modern World And You Also Miss It, Even Though It’s Basically Everything And This Is Just An Excuse To Get Hammered’ game. Maybe the name needs a little work though.
Although, if it’s games they miss, Ishigami Village has plenty.
It’s true that Senku and the rest of those from the modern world have taught him so many cool things from their time. However, Chrome thinks it might finally be time for him to teach them how awesome his time can be too!
“Alright, listen up killjoys,” Chrome yells, “I’m gonna teach you some truly baaad games we play back in the village, so get excited!”
The response he gets does not sound very excited like it is when Senku says it. Chrome wonders if this is where a hangover starts, the blur between late night and early morning, where the sun is but a smudge on the horizon.
“Sure but I fear we may have to do this in a few days instead.”
Yeah. That totally makes sense.
A Minami Hokutozai Interview
Hangover Special
Q: What do you miss most from the 21st century?
GEN: Please Minami-chan, I can’t do this today.
MINAMI: This is why we don’t drink until the ass crack of dawn. Wouldn’t you agree? Now, give me an answer.
GEN: I miss having doors that LOCK.
MINAMI: Perfect answer Gen.
NIKKI: Don’t you think this is a bit of an evil question after last night?
MINAMI: Probably. But I like to keep records and last night was a jumbled drunken mess.
NIKKI: Oh, then I'd have to go with music. Maybe school a little but at the same time I’m grateful I never had to do those finals. I would’ve flunked so bad.
UKYO: Paracetamol. Brufen. Easy access to medication.
MINAMI: Can’t you ask Senku to make you some?
UKYO: I think he’s still asleep.
MINAMI: It’s late noon?
YUZURIHA: Don't you even think about waking him up!
TAIJU: SMARTPHONES!
YO: Ditto.
MINAMI: Preach, honestly.
SUIKA: Don’t we have a phone already? I think that’s pretty smart!
CHROME: That’s what I was saying!
UKYO: You don’t even understand how prosperous my farm was on Hayday.
YO: Drink?
MINAMI: I will not be doling out sympathy if you throw up again.
SUIKA: I’m confused!
CHROME: Oh! Don’t worry, Suika. It’s just the ‘Drink Every Time Someone Says Something They Miss From The Modern World And You Also Miss It, Even Though It’s Basically Everything And This Is Just An Excuse To Get Hammered’ game.
YO: Dumbass name-
RYUSUI: My old ships, the convenience of travelling to Hong Kong for the dim sum at lunch-
MINAMI: Christ. Guess you can’t miss what you never had.
FRANCOIS: While I have just as much in this stone world, I do find myself wishing for more high end ingredients and tools.
RYUSUI: Like that gold plated spatula that I got you for your birthday?!
FRANCOIS: Indeed. Perhaps you will be able to replace it soon enough for me, Ryusui-sama.
RYUSUI: If that is what you desire then so be it!
MINAMI: I don’t even- know what I was expecting honestly?
HYOGA: Not being in jail?
MINAMI: What is it they say about sowing and reaping?
HOMURA: Leave.
SENKU: No.
MINAMI: You seriously don’t miss anything from the old world? What about all those cool gadgets that Universities had?
SENKU: I can remake them.
MINAMI: I’m not leaving until you give me a better answer-
SENKU: Fine then. My Dad. The dead one?
KOHAKU: That’s a bit morbid-
MINAMI: I don’t even know why I try.
SENKU: Go and help the crafts team with the ship, I’m busy trying to perfect a hangover cure.