The Science of Connection (Senku Ishigami x Reader)

A week later, you sit at your usual desk in the library. Flipping through your notes on red pandas while Senku fiddles with some contraption in the corner. You can't help but notice that, despite your focus, his eyes seem to be on you more often than they should be.

"Hey, can you hand me that paperclip?" he asks casually, breaking the silence.

You glance up, slightly caught off guard, and without thinking, hand it over. Your fingers brush against his for just a second longer than necessary, and you feel a small jolt of electricity shoot through you. You try to mask the warmth creeping up your neck, but you're not sure if Senku noticed.

You catch him jotting something down in a small notebook out of the corner of your eye. You squint at him, suspicion growing. He's testing something again, isn't he?

As the two of you discuss your project, Senku leans in closer than needed, pointing out minor details in your notes with precision. His proximity makes you tense, but you're determined not to let him get to you.

"You need to tighten this hypothesis," he says, his voice low, almost deliberate, as if he's testing your reaction to his closeness.

You swallow, trying to hide the way your pulse spikes. Instead of pulling away, you decide to test him right back.

"Right, your input's been... very helpful," you reply, smiling knowingly.

Senku's expression flickers for the briefest moment, his eyes widening before his smirk returns, and he turns back to his notebook, scribbling more notes. You catch the faintest pink blush on his ears.

~~~

The next day, you're walking down the hallway when you spot Senku up ahead. He's holding out a small piece of red fabric—a scrap you recognize from one of your experiments.

"I found this in the lab. Does it belong to you?" he asks, his voice casual, but you can sense the underlying tension.

You take it from him, your fingers grazing his once again. This time, you don't react. Instead, you eye him closely.

"You've been awfully hands-on lately, Senku," you comment, keeping your tone playful but sharp.

He pauses for a split second, his eyes narrowing before his smirk grows wider. "Observation is the cornerstone of science. I'm just gathering data."

You raise an eyebrow, giving him a knowing look. "Right. And the 'data' you're gathering... that wouldn't have anything to do with me, would it?"

Senku freezes for just a second, but then he steps closer to you, his eyes locking with yours, his voice dropping low. "You're sharp. But isn't it more fun to figure it out yourself?"

You can't help but smirk back, your curiosity growing with each word.

~~~

Later, when you're both working on the red panda project together, Senku leans in once more, pointing at the video clip you're watching. His finger hovers over the screen, but his attention is entirely on you.

"You notice how they rely on subtle cues to communicate trust?" he says, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

You tilt your head, a smirk forming on your lips. "Subtle cues like proximity and touch, right? Very scientific of you."

His smirk falters for a brief moment, and you spot a rare hesitation in his expression before he quickly recovers. "Exactly," he replies, but you can see his eyes flicker to yours, searching.

You lean in slightly, meeting his gaze head-on. "You're not as subtle as you think, Senku," you say, your voice firm.

For the first time, he doesn't have a retort. His smirk falters again, and you catch a glimpse of something unfamiliar in his expression—maybe frustration, or something else entirely.